Agenda item

MOTION - DISABLED WORKERS AND THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE

Minutes:

Prior to consideration of this matter, and having declared an interest in this matter, Councillor L Reecejones left the Council Chamber whilst the matter was debated and voted upon.

 

Proposed by Councillor Stuart Kelly

Seconded by Councillor Dave Mitchell

 

Council notes and endorses the All Age Disability Strategy at Priority Two (Young people and adults with disabilities have access to employment and are financially resilient) and notes that, in drawing up the Strategy, people with disabilities have told us “they should have the same access to education and work as all citizens” and that “everyone has a unique contribution to make and when this is recognised, people will feel and be valued”.

 

Council, therefore, expresses its disappointment that Birkenhead MP Frank Field (chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee) has fallen into the trap of advocating a lower wage for people with certain disabilities. http://www.learningandwork.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/LW-Opp-for-All-FINAL.pdf (Pages 106-113).

 

Council notes that no reliable evidence has ever shown that this is effective and it also perpetuates the stereotype that some disabled people are worth less than others.

 

Council believes that Mr Field’s views are both wrong and insulting and invites Frank Field MP to withdraw his suggestions and to apologise.

 

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 9 the Council did not debate the matter, and having been formally moved and seconded, the motion was put to the vote.

 

One amendment which had been circulated in advance of the meeting was submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) and (9), as follows:

 

Proposed by Councillor Moira McLaughlin

Seconded by Councillor George Davies

 

Delete everything after the first paragraph and insert the following:-

 

“Council welcomes the ambitious Government target to assist a further one million people with disabilities into employment, but recognises that progress in achieving this has, so far, been slow and that there are substantial challenges involved, as set out in the work of the eleven contributors, including Frank Field M.P. in the report “ Opportunities for All -Transforming Employment For All Disabled People And Those With Health Problems,” recently produced by the Learning and Skills Institute and the Shaw Trust.

 

Council regrets that the findings of the Parliamentary Work and Pensions Select Committee, as set out by its Chair Frank Field have been distorted by some to indicate that a reduction in the National Living Wage is advocated, and notes with concern the distress this misrepresentation may have caused to people.

 

Mr Field has clearly stated that though the impact of the National Living Wage for disabled people and those seeking to employ them has been examined by the committee, there is no suggestion that any disabled person should receive less than the National Living Wage and that his preference is that it should remain sacrosanct.

 

In fact, Frank Field’s contribution recognises that to achieve the ambitious Government target will require a change of culture and attitude in society as a whole, and will need to put the experience of those with disabilities at the centre of developing the right policies.

 

It also recognises that some disabled people, particularly those with severe disabilities, do require extra support in their work environment, with their health needs and to meet their extra financial needs.

 

The report also acknowledges that potential employers will need encouragement and incentives to help them to provide for employment for those people with disability.

 

Council therefore concludes that this report and the further work of the Work and Pensions Committee will be useful in informing the implementation of our local strategy to help people with severe disabilities achieve the aim of gaining and keeping a job.” 

 

The amendment was put and carried (51:5) (One abstention).

 

The substantive motion was then put and carried (51:5) (One abstention).

 

RESOLVED (51:5) (One abstention) -

 

Council notes and endorses the All Age Disability Strategy at Priority Two (Young people and adults with disabilities have access to employment and are financially resilient) and notes that, in drawing up the Strategy, people with disabilities have told us “they should have the same access to education and work as all citizens” and that “everyone has a unique contribution to make and when this is recognised, people will feel and be valued”.

 

Council welcomes the ambitious Government target to assist a further one million people with disabilities into employment, but recognises that progress in achieving this has, so far, been slow and that there are substantial challenges involved, as set out in the work of the eleven contributors, including Frank Field M.P. in the report “ Opportunities for All -Transforming Employment For All Disabled People And Those With Health Problems,” recently produced by the Learning and Skills Institute and the Shaw Trust.

 

Council regrets that the findings of the Parliamentary Work and Pensions Select Committee, as set out by its Chair Frank Field have been distorted by some to indicate that a reduction in the National Living Wage is advocated, and notes with concern the distress this misrepresentation may have caused to people.

 

Mr Field has clearly stated that though the impact of the National Living Wage for disabled people and those seeking to employ them has been examined by the committee, there is no suggestion that any disabled person should receive less than the National Living Wage and that his preference is that it should remain sacrosanct.

 

In fact, Frank Field’s contribution recognises that to achieve the ambitious Government target will require a change of culture and attitude in society as a whole, and will need to put the experience of those with disabilities at the centre of developing the right policies.

 

It also recognises that some disabled people, particularly those with severe disabilities, do require extra support in their work environment, with their health needs and to meet their extra financial needs.

 

The report also acknowledges that potential employers will need encouragement and incentives to help them to provide for employment for those people with disability.

 

Council therefore concludes that this report and the further work of the Work and Pensions Committee will be useful in informing the implementation of our local strategy to help people with severe disabilities achieve the aim of gaining and keeping a job.