The minimum wage clearly isn`t high enough and Labour must promise to raise it significantly, but that does not mean they cannot attempt improvements in other ways as well. Few would object, for instance,to a Labour pledge to prosecute all firms, regardless of size, which were found to be paying workers less than the minimum wage. Such examples of "irresponsible capitalism" can be discouraged by damaging publicity, as Starbucks has found to its cost, whilst more positive incentives might result in a more responsible approach to capitalism`s treatment of its workforce and customers. Borrowing from a New Deal idea, businesses which paid a living wage to all employees could be allowed, by a Labour government, to display, say, a green star in all their advertising and signage. Similarly, other stars could be displayed by companies paying the correct amount of corporation and capital gains tax, offering proper apprenticeship schemes, and even by those which rejected the bonus and obscene levels of pay culture.Yes, a government department would be needed to explain and oversee the system, but the end result would be higher paid workers, less people relying on tax credits to make ends meet, more taxes in the Treasury`s coffers, and more money available to be spent where it is most needed. The other parties might present themselves as defenders of the poor, but the recent evidence will inform the electorate otherwise.Hardly surprising that we are seeing "greater inequality and the emergence of a two-tier workforce", when the very objective of the government`s policy on examinations in schools is to create a two-tiered education system. (Collective bargaining must be won back, 07/09/13) Cameron, Osborne and Clegg have shown themselves extremely adept at looking after the highly paid, so it is left to Labour to present the electorate with serious and believable policies which will improve the life chances of the low-paid.
Thursday 24 October 2013
Irresponsible capitalism, 07/09/13
Hardly surprising that ate a two-tiered education system. (Collective bargaining must be won back, 07/09/13) Cameron, Osborne and Clegg have shown themselves extremely adept at looking after the highly paid, so it iwe are seeing "greater inequality and the emergence of a two-tier workforce", when the very objective of the government`s policy on examinations in schools is to cres left to Labour to present the electorate with serious and believable policies which will improve the life chances of the low-paid.
The minimum wage clearly isn`t high enough and Labour must promise to raise it significantly, but that does not mean they cannot attempt improvements in other ways as well. Few would object, for instance,to a Labour pledge to prosecute all firms, regardless of size, which were found to be paying workers less than the minimum wage. Such examples of "irresponsible capitalism" can be discouraged by damaging publicity, as Starbucks has found to its cost, whilst more positive incentives might result in a more responsible approach to capitalism`s treatment of its workforce and customers. Borrowing from a New Deal idea, businesses which paid a living wage to all employees could be allowed, by a Labour government, to display, say, a green star in all their advertising and signage. Similarly, other stars could be displayed by companies paying the correct amount of corporation and capital gains tax, offering proper apprenticeship schemes, and even by those which rejected the bonus and obscene levels of pay culture.Yes, a government department would be needed to explain and oversee the system, but the end result would be higher paid workers, less people relying on tax credits to make ends meet, more taxes in the Treasury`s coffers, and more money available to be spent where it is most needed. The other parties might present themselves as defenders of the poor, but the recent evidence will inform the electorate otherwise.Hardly surprising that we are seeing "greater inequality and the emergence of a two-tier workforce", when the very objective of the government`s policy on examinations in schools is to create a two-tiered education system. (Collective bargaining must be won back, 07/09/13) Cameron, Osborne and Clegg have shown themselves extremely adept at looking after the highly paid, so it is left to Labour to present the electorate with serious and believable policies which will improve the life chances of the low-paid.
The minimum wage clearly isn`t high enough and Labour must promise to raise it significantly, but that does not mean they cannot attempt improvements in other ways as well. Few would object, for instance,to a Labour pledge to prosecute all firms, regardless of size, which were found to be paying workers less than the minimum wage. Such examples of "irresponsible capitalism" can be discouraged by damaging publicity, as Starbucks has found to its cost, whilst more positive incentives might result in a more responsible approach to capitalism`s treatment of its workforce and customers. Borrowing from a New Deal idea, businesses which paid a living wage to all employees could be allowed, by a Labour government, to display, say, a green star in all their advertising and signage. Similarly, other stars could be displayed by companies paying the correct amount of corporation and capital gains tax, offering proper apprenticeship schemes, and even by those which rejected the bonus and obscene levels of pay culture.Yes, a government department would be needed to explain and oversee the system, but the end result would be higher paid workers, less people relying on tax credits to make ends meet, more taxes in the Treasury`s coffers, and more money available to be spent where it is most needed. The other parties might present themselves as defenders of the poor, but the recent evidence will inform the electorate otherwise.Hardly surprising that we are seeing "greater inequality and the emergence of a two-tier workforce", when the very objective of the government`s policy on examinations in schools is to create a two-tiered education system. (Collective bargaining must be won back, 07/09/13) Cameron, Osborne and Clegg have shown themselves extremely adept at looking after the highly paid, so it is left to Labour to present the electorate with serious and believable policies which will improve the life chances of the low-paid.
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