During Prime Minister’s Questions, Nigel Farage faced criticism for earning money from additional jobs while questioning the adequacy of the minimum wage for young workers. The leader of Reform UK has accumulated over £1 million from secondary employment since the general election. Recently, he expressed skepticism about the current minimum wage for younger employees, implying that it might be too high. In addition to his £93,904 MP salary, Farage’s earnings from his extra jobs have raised eyebrows.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, filling in for Keir Starmer at PMQs, mocked Farage for profiting significantly as an ambassador for Direct Bullion, a precious metals and gold dealer. When Labour MP Adam Thompson raised the issue during PMQs, questioning the adequacy of a £10 per hour wage for young workers and pointing out the discrepancy with some of Farage’s side jobs, Lammy emphasized the Labour Party’s commitment to supporting young workers and boosting their wages.
Farage’s income streams over the past year have included speaking engagements, social media work, cameo video appearances, TV presenting on GB News, writing articles, and serving as an ambassador for Direct Bullion.
In a press conference on Monday, Farage suggested that the minimum wage might be too high for younger workers, especially since the National Insurance Contribution threshold has been lowered to £5,000 annually. Last year, at the Conservative conference, Kemi Badenoch also criticized the minimum wage, indicating that it burdens businesses along with maternity pay. The current minimum wage stands at £7.55 for under 18s, £10 for 18 to 20-year-olds, and £12.21 for those aged 21 and above.
