A local MP has led a group of campaigners to march on Marks & Spencer’s flagship store in protest at plans to cut staff benefits in order to fund the National Living Wage.

Mitcham and Morden MP, Siobhain McDonagh, helped to deliver a petition which has been signed by almost 100,000 people on change.org to the Oxford Street store on Friday, September 2, calling on management at M&S to reverse their decision to cut employee benefits.

The new Living Wage came into force on April 1, and currently stands at £9.40 an hour for workers in London. In order to pay the Living Wage, M&S announced proposals including an end to extra pay for working antisocial hours, and moving current staff to a new pension scheme which does not guarantee a set pension on retirement.

Wimbledon Times:

April 2016: Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhain McDonagh campaigns to protect pay after National Living Wage changes

According to Ms McDonagh, who has been campaigning against other companies including B&Q for cutting benefits in order to pay the Living Wage, these changes to pensions will affect 11,000 members of staff.

Ms McDonagh said: “I think people who work for a full week should be able to put food on the table and pay their bills. It’s question of dignity.

“The Living Wage was brought in because [former Chancellor of the Exchequer] George Osborne said everyone deserves a pay rise. If you’re cutting people’s terms and conditions, you’re working against the spirit of that proposal.

“I am prepared to go after any employer who is not supporting the spirit of the London Living Wage.”

However, also on Friday, M&S announced the results of an employee consultation into the proposals and said they have made a number of changes, including offering greater transitional payments to those negatively affected by the pay system, and offering a cash supplement for the next three years which can be added into the new pension scheme or taken as extra pay.

M&S Retail Director, Sacha Berendji, said: “We’ve listened to our colleagues, acted on their feedback and are pleased that we’ve reached an outcome that gives enhanced support for our colleagues as well as making necessary changes to our business.

“From April 2017, our people will be amongst the highest paid in UK retail and receive one of the best benefits packages. The changes will reward our people in a fair and consistent way, simplify and modernise our business and help us attract and retain the best talent so we can continue to provide great service for our customers.”

However, Ms McDonagh has spoken against the new proposals, arguing that the company’s insistence that no one will earn less because of the changes is inaccurate because of the rising cost of living.

She added: ““While we are obviously glad that the new offer is better with regard to pay compensation packages, it still falls short of the offer that longstanding and loyal staff from Britain’s premier retailer really deserve.

“Furthermore, employees can’t negotiate on this now – they have been told that they either have to agree to this package now or lose this transitional payment altogether.

“It would be a betrayal to loyal staff, many with more than two or three decades professional experience, to say that this is a very good offer for them.”

To sign the petition, click here.

What do you think? Email letters@wimbledonguardian.co.uk