Get to Grips with Sweatshop Britain

3.44.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 15th Oct 2003

Malcolm Bruce MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow DTI Secretary

Responding to today's TUC report which estimates that 170,000 workers are being paid below the minimum wage four years after the minimum wage was introduced, Malcolm Bruce MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow DTI Secretary, said "This timely report shows that sweatshop Britain is alive and well."

"These dishonest employers not only rip off vulnerable people but free load off every tax payer as well."

"The black economy is worth billions in Britain, and by dodging the taxman on income tax, national insurance, VAT and the rest, these sweatshop cowboys are pushing up the taxes of us all."

"The Inland Revenue has been in crisis of late and is failing to get to grips with big business tax avoiders. But getting to grips with these small time sweatshop cowboys must be a high priority. Poor and vulnerable people are getting fleeced."