TUC 'backs' minimum wage move

The decision to close a minimum wage loophole is a welcome move, one expert has claimed.

Brendan Barber, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), said that the policy has to ensure there is a "robust pay floor" that can provide assistance for those workers who are financially vulnerable.

He added that staff have been losing out on pension and sick pay entitlements because their companies are exploiting certain schemes available.

Mr Barber was speaking after it was announced that the government will be introducing a law that stops payments made into travel and subsistence tax relief schemes from counting towards the national minimum wage.

The specialist added that his group, which claims to represent 58 affiliated unions with nearly seven million working people, believes in the proper enforcement of tax regulations.

He remarked that both workers and employers have a "clear duty" to pay levies and neither should be allowed to get away with not doing so.