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I have been been involved in a number of debates in my role as Shadow Business Minister. Here's what I've been doing in May and June.


Unpaid internships are seen as both necessary for any young person who wants to fulfil their career goals in life, but at the same time they divide our young people into those who can afford them and those who cannot. I was pleased to be able to participate in a Westminster Hall debate last month which gave MPs the opportunity to debate these crucial issues. Polls have shown that


two out of five (43%) people aged between 18 and 24 believe the existence of unpaid internships act or have acted as a major barrier to getting a job. (YouGov, 2012). This cannot be right and all political parties must act to improve young people’s access to work experience and internships and the treatment they receive during this time. I


think Government’s the current


approach to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) is directly impacting on how we tackle unpaid internships. They are not going far enough to tackle those


As I have reported in these pages previously,


the


Government are continuing with their policy to privatise our National postal service, a measure which I think will


unscrupulous employers who exploit it. We have already called


for stronger enforcement of the minimum wage and we need stronger penalties for its abuse. That is why we have called for a doubling of the fines for breaching the minimum wage. Enforcement must be stronger too. Local councils should be given the power to take enforcement action over the minimum wage.


I believe a fair day’s


work should be rewarded with a fair day’s pay. In the world of work where the odds are already stacked against our young people, we need an active government which tips the balance back in their favour so that they can fulfil their full potential in their careers.


Click the play button to watch my contribution:


result in a poorer service for people across the UK. The Westminster Hall


debate that I participated in was the only opportunity in Parliament that MPs have had to debate this important issue. It was a very well attended debate and MPs from across the country set out clearly the concerns that constituents and postal staff had raised with them. The timing of the sell-


off has the distinct whiff of desperation as the Chancellor has borrowed £245 billion more that he planned and is eager to dig himself out of a hole.


I believe it is the


wrong time for privatisation. The UK’s cherished postal service has taken steps to modernise, and management, staff and trade unions should be congratulated on that. However, in their rush to sell off Royal Mail


the


Government is not delivering best value for the taxpayer or safeguarding the long-term future of Royal Mail.


Click the play button to watch my contribution:


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