First, I thank all noble Lords who have participated in this debate, particularly the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale. I am glad to hear that he is fully in support of the minimum wage. I also thank the Minister for his assurances about the kind of jobs that will be included...

First, I thank all noble Lords who have participated in this debate, particularly the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale. I am glad to hear that he is fully in support of the minimum wage. I also thank the Minister for his assurances about the kind of jobs that will be included...

I have been contacted by the TUC on various aspects of the Bill, with particular reference to "work for your benefit" schemes. It is not surprising that the TUC contacted me, because I was for many years a member of the TUC General Council. The issue at stake for the...

I have been contacted by the TUC on various aspects of the Bill, with particular reference to "work for your benefit" schemes. It is not surprising that the TUC contacted me, because I was for many years a member of the TUC General Council. The issue at stake for the...

Amendment 18 18: Clause 1, page 2, line 48, at end insert— "( ) The prescribed rate shall not be less than that normally paid to workers in the same employment."

Amendment 18 18: Clause 1, page 2, line 48, at end insert— "( ) The prescribed rate shall not be less than that normally paid to workers in the same employment."

I, too, support the amendments, particularly Amendment 15, because it covers the needs of participants with particular disabilities—in other words, all disabilities. I speak with the benefit, if I can call it that, of some experience, because recently I have become partially disabled due to a mobility problem. When you...

I, too, support the amendments, particularly Amendment 15, because it covers the needs of participants with particular disabilities—in other words, all disabilities. I speak with the benefit, if I can call it that, of some experience, because recently I have become partially disabled due to a mobility problem. When you...

My reason for tabling this amendment is that I have become aware of the increasing level of unemployment in areas where manufacturing industry has, until recently, played a dominant role. I know of towns which I used to visit when I was a union official where one large firm or...

My reason for tabling this amendment is that I have become aware of the increasing level of unemployment in areas where manufacturing industry has, until recently, played a dominant role. I know of towns which I used to visit when I was a union official where one large firm or...

Clause 1: Schemes for assisting persons to obtain employment: "work for your benefit" schemes etc. Amendment 11 11: Clause 1, page 2, line 24, at end insert— "( ) Regulations may prescribe that the skills and abilities of participants can be utilised in the schemes to which they may be...

Clause 1: Schemes for assisting persons to obtain employment: "work for your benefit" schemes etc. Amendment 11 11: Clause 1, page 2, line 24, at end insert— "( ) Regulations may prescribe that the skills and abilities of participants can be utilised in the schemes to which they may be...

First, I thank all noble Lords who have participated in this short debate, including the noble Lord, Lord Rix, who mentioned my stick, which remains well in view on the table. I indeed thank my noble friend the Minister for his detailed response to the concerns that several of us...

First, I thank all noble Lords who have participated in this short debate, including the noble Lord, Lord Rix, who mentioned my stick, which remains well in view on the table. I indeed thank my noble friend the Minister for his detailed response to the concerns that several of us...