EAST YORKSHIRE’S MP has been accused of harming low-paid workers by calling for the abolition of the minimum wage.

Conservative Greg Knight has backed the Employment Opportunities Bill, which advocates allowing workers to be paid less than the minimum wage or to opt out of it.

Aspiring Labour politician James Alexander, who will stand in York Outer at the next general election, today condemned the bill, which will be debated in Parliament on Friday.

He said: “It is unbelievable that Conservatives are planning to scupper the safeguard that so many rely on. It is downright scandalous that this is happening during a recession.”

But Mr Knight said the bill was simply a “vehicle for debate” and hit back.

“The Labour Party is clearly desperate for publicity at the present time in view of their dire poll ratings.

“This bill stands no chance of becoming law and is in essence just a vehicle to allow a debate on whether we should be more flexible is setting out wage levels for all workers. It is a debate that should be welcomed.”

The bill has been tabled by senior Tory, Christopher Chope. He said it would introduce “freedom, flexibility and opportunity” for those seeking employment in the public and private sectors.

John Hannett, general secretary of the trade union Usdaw, and a member of the Low Pay Commission, said: “The minimum wage provides income protection and security for millions of workers. It stops unscrupulous employers from driving down wages across the board. The new Tory ‘Employment Opportunities Bill’ would allow employers to opt out of their responsibility to their staff to pay a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work and effectively bring an end to the National Minimum Wage.

“This shows the Tories in their true light and is a little insight into what a Conservative government would do.”