Taxation 'needs to be fairer'

Date: 19th November 2009

People in low-paid jobs should not have to bear the brunt of an 'unfair' tax system, a charity has said.

The Institute of Employment Rights (IER) said that it did not think the UK has a just or balanced taxation policy and called on the government to look after the needs of vulnerable workers.

Carolyn Jones, director of the organisation, said that although Britain has a minimum wage in existence, it is too low for workers to support themselves solely on it.

"[The minimum wage] has been set at such a low rate [that] we argue it institutionalises low pay [rather] than solves the problem," she argued.

Ms Jones concluded that the government should take the minimum wage up from £5.80 "or whatever it is now" to £7.

Earlier this week, the Trades Union Congress urged the government to take charge of its public spending problems without raising taxes for low-paid workers.