Jon Pearce welcomes new support for working families

Jon Pearce has welcomed a raft of new government measures which will support working families and help cut the cost of living.

This week, the new Employment Rights Act comes into force, banning exploitative zero-hours contracts and “fire and rehire”; enhancing protections for workers who “blow the whistle” on sexual harassment; and ensuring “day one” rights for sick pay and paternity leave.

Reflecting the national picture, polling conducted by the TUC shows overwhelming support from High Peak voters for measures in the act, with 79 percent backing the right to sick pay from day one of employment and 73 percent supporting a ban on zero-hours contracts.

The provisions follow last week’s rise in the National Living Wage, which will boost pay by £900 for those working full time – benefitting around 1,000 employees here in High Peak. A rise in the National Minimum Wage to £10.85 will provide a £1,500 boost for over 200,000 young workers. Across the East Midlands, 280,000 workers will benefit from wage rises.

The two-child benefit cap, which disproportionately affects parents in work, was also scrapped from 1 April following the Chancellor’s announcement in November’s budget. This will benefit 111,000 children and 30,350 families in the East Midlands.

Other measures to cut the cost of living also came into force this month, including a rise in the state pension to £241.30 per week; a freeze in prescription prices; and a cut in the energy price cap which will reduce energy bills by an average £117 a year for millions across the UK – locked in until end of June.

Jon Pearce MP said:

“Supporting working families is my number one priority. At a time of global insecurity, the government is strengthening security at work and cutting the cost of living. I’m proud that this Labour government is making work pay and ensuring workers have the peace of mind of knowing they’ll get paid if they’re sick. Nigel Farage and Reform will have to explain to High Peak’s voters – who overwhelmingly back these measures – why they’re so keen to scrap these vital protections.”