Tory backbencher Philip Davies caused outrage today by telling Parliament that disabled people should work for less than the minimum wage, reports Shamik Das.
Tory backbencher Philip Davies caused outrage today by telling Parliament that disabled people should work for less than the minimum wage. The remarks were described as “outrageous and unacceptable” by a select committee chair, and “a preposterous suggestion” by a leading charity. Davies made his comments during a debate on the Employment Opportunities Bill, which had its second reading today.
Anne Begg, chair of the work and pensions committe, said:
“These comments are utterly outrageous and unacceptable. To suggest that disabled people should be treated as second class citizens is shocking and shows just what a warped world some Tories demonstrate they inhabit.”
Davies also said people with learning difficulties should be made to work for sub-standard wages – made to work for less than £5.93 an hour.
Responding, Mind spokeswoman Sophie Corlett said:
“It is a preposterous suggestion that someone who has a mental health problem should be prepared to accept less than minimum wage to get their foot in the door with an employer.
“People with mental health problems should not be considered a source of cheap labour and should be paid appropriately for the jobs they do.”
Last month, Davies described Britain’s contribution to international aid as “stark raving mad”; more sinister were his recent comments that there was nothing offensive about ‘blacking up’.
Davies had said:
“Why it is so offensive to black up your face… I have never understood this.”
As I said before, what a sad, pathetic little man Mr Davies is.
98 Responses to “Tory MP: Disabled should work for less than minimum wage”
Mason Dixon, Autistic
Lee, those of us on the Autistic spectrum are the most disproportionately disadvantaged in employment prospects. I have worked for employers for free, many have; jobs have not materialised from it.
If ‘free’ doesn’t satisfy employers, then what makes you think any sum above zero but below minimum wage will do?
Paul Gleeson
Tory MP Disabled should work for less than minimum wage Left Foot Forward: http://t.co/i7cwpOb – Same old Tories, heartless senseless cruel
George McLean
Does Mr Davies also believe women and black people should have a lower-rate NMW as they are also discriminated against by some employers?
PJD
My namesake is getting nuttier and nuttier!
mr. Sensible
George I was wondering the same thing.
I think this nothing short of a disgrace.