Tory MP: Disabled should work for less than minimum wage

Social Justice

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.

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98 Responses to “Tory MP: Disabled should work for less than minimum wage”

  1. Thomas Byrne

    Where in any of his speech does he say people -should- work for less than NMW?

  2. Shamik Das

    Thomas, it’s crystal clear: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13809620

    I’m sure BBC Democracy Live will soon have the vid, and Hansard the verbatim if you want to double check.

  3. Chris

    Thomas, right here: “If those people who consider it is being a hindrance to them, and in my view that’s some of the most vulnerable people in society, if they feel that for a short period of time, taking a lower rate of pay to help them get on their first rung of the jobs ladder, if they judge that that is a good thing, I don’t see why we should be standing in their way.”

    In fact you could take multiple quotes from it. It really is outrageous.

  4. Harriet Ainscough

    Tory MP @PhilipDaviesMP: Disabled should work for less than minimum wage: http://bit.ly/m5oJkA by @ShamikDas

  5. Michael

    Tory MP: Disabled should work for less than minimum wage I Left Foot Forward – http://j.mp/ix23Rn – His name is Philip Davies.

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