Sir — I was pleased to see that the national minimum wage was increased from £5.52 to £5.73, effective from October 1, 2008. While not a fortune, this again demonstrates Labour trying to set a minimum level of pay for the working class. What we all need to remember is the prolonged campaign the Tories mounted in opposition to its introduction in April 1998. So much for the caring image Cameron is trying to portray to the working class of the Tory party.

Also included in the report is that employers who refuse to pay the national minimum wage will be subject to an automatic £5,000 fine under new rules from April 2009.

These rule changes also include provision that any cheating employers can face a crown court trial leaving them open to an unlimited fine.

However, do these rule changes go far enough as there are still some employers that do not provide their employees with the minimum employment rights they are entitled to, for example: a contract of employment, 20 days' paid annual leave (recently increased to 28 days) payable from the first day of employment. Payment of statutory sick pay.

Perhaps automatic fines on those employers who do not conform to the law might help.

Dave Robinson, Headington