TUC welcomes minimum wage increase
Commenting on the announcement today (Wednesday) that the government has accepted the Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendation to increase the adult national minimum wage by three per cent – 19p an hour – from this October, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:
“It is good that the government has accepted the LPC’s call for an increase in the minimum wage. The rise will benefit around 1.5 million workers, almost two-thirds (61 per cent) of whom will be women.
“But this must be seen as only the first step in a series of bolder increases in future years that will help the many low-paid workers – who are suffering the tightest squeeze in their living standards in a century – and who think the Chancellor promised them £7 an hour.
“We also urge the government to pick up the LPC recommendation to protect migrant domestic workers, as they too often suffer low pay and other forms of abuse.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
|
21 and over |
18-20 |
16-17 |
Some apprentices* |
|
|
2013/14 current rate |
£6.31 |
£5.03 |
£3.72 |
£2.68 |
|
2014/15 new rates from |
£6.50 |
£5.13 |
£3.79 |
£2.73 |
Source: LPC
|
- The apprentice minimum wage rate only applies to those under the age of 19 and older apprentices in the first year of their training. Other apprentices must be paid the relevant age-based rates. |
- The national minimum wage is actively enforced by HM Revenue and Customs. Contact the Pay and Work Rights Helpline for information and enforcement: www.gov.uk/pay-and-work-rights-helpline or on 0800 917 2368.
- The TUC is organising Fair Pay Fortnight from Monday 24 March to Sunday 6 April. It will be a series of events across England and Wales to raise awareness about falling living standards. www.fairpayfortnight.org
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