A BARNSLEY MP has backed a Labour Party plan to reform minimum wage legislation.

MPs - including Barnsley East’s Stephanie Peacock - vowed to change the remit of the Low Pay Commission so that the minimum wage will, they claim for the first time, reflect the need for working people’s pay to at least cover the cost of living.

Labour deputy leader and Shadow Secretary of State for the Future of Work Angela Rayner and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged Labour would ‘make work pay again’.

Under the plan Labour would keep a link to median earnings, so that all workers benefit from growth.

From April 2016 the government introduced a higher minimum wage rate for all staff over 25 - calling it the ‘National Living Wage’.

However, this wage is not calculated according to what employees and their families need to live.

Instead, it is based on a target to reach 66 per cent of median earnings by 2024.

Stephanie said: “I am pleased to support my colleagues in Labour’s announcement of the minimum wage reflecting the real cost of living.

“I know this would make a huge difference to many of my constituents in Barnsley East.

“The crisis is putting pressure on working families across Barnsley, and a Labour government would do something about it.”

Under current forecasts this means a rise to £10.50 per hour by 2024 and from 2021 was adjusted to include those over 23 years old.

As of April 2022, the National Living Wage is £9.50 for all over 23s, while the National Minimum Wage is £9.18 for those aged 21-22 and just £6.83 for those aged 18-20.

Ms Rayner added: “When working people’s pay is squeezed, that removes spending power from the economy.

“Working people contribute so much to the wealth of our country.

“It is only right that they receive a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work not a bogus living wage they can’t live on.

“Labour will make work pay again with a new settlement for the future of work.

“We will ensure our genuine National Living Wage is paid to every adult worker.”(