Work: Key issues for the 2015 Parliament

During the previous Parliament, the real value of the National Minimum Wage fell, reflecting a series of recommendations by the Low Pay Commission that sought to avoid pricing workers out of jobs whilst inflation was running above average wage growth.

After much debate in the last Parliament, opinions on zero-hours contracts (ZHCs) remain polarized. Employee organisations argue that they can leave workers and their families in a state of financial insecurity and uncertainty.

Self-employment has reached a record high of 4.5 million in 2014. The growth is likely to reflect both temporary and permanent changes to the economy, together with government policy, particularly on tax and welfare.

Claimants now have had to pay separate fees to issue their claim and have it heard, unless they qualify for a reduction or waiver on the grounds of having limited wealth and low income.

The unemployment rate among young people is almost three times that of the rest of the population; youth employment rates are well below levels seen before the financial crisis; and under- 30s experienced the weakest wage growth of any group since 2008