MP criticised over disabled comments

A Conservative MP has been criticised after he said that some workers with learning difficulties and mental health problems should be able to work for less than the minimum wage.

Philip Davies, MP for Shipley, speaking in a Commons debate, said that he had spoken to a number of people with mental health problems on a recent visit to charity Mind, and said that they are often overlooked for jobs because of their problems. He told the Commons that for some the national minimum wage is a hindrance rather than a help and, in the short term, if taking a lower paid job can help them get onto the job ladder, it should be allowed.

However the Conservative Party distanced itself from his comments and they were criticised by Mind. Spokeswoman Sophie Corlett said: “It’s a preposterous suggestion that someone who has a mental health problem should be prepared to accept less than minimum wage to get their foot in the door with an employer. People with mental health problems should not be considered a source of cheap labour and should be paid appropriately for the jobs they do.”