TUC: Public overwhelmingly support higher minimum wage - as rate rises today

• New polling shows huge public support in every constituency for increasing the minimum wage
• TUC says increase is “vital lifeline” in face of “Trumpflation” crisis
• Minimum wage will rise for millions of workers today

The TUC today (Wednesday) described the increase in the minimum wage as a ‘vital lifeline’ for millions of workers – with a host of living costs set to rise as a result of Trump's illegal war.

The union body highlighted the huge popularity of turning the minimum wage into a real living wage.

The TUC cited a huge poll of more than 40,000 voters which shows that:

• More than 8 in 10 (86%) people across the country support making sure the minimum wage is a real living wage people can live on. This includes 84% of voters who say they would vote Reform if a general election was tomorrow.
• Support amongst other party voters is also very high: Labour (88%), Green (90%), Lib Dem (89%), Conservative (82%)
• Nearly 9 in 10 voters in Nigel Farage’s constituency of Clacton (86%) and in Kemi Badenoch’s constituency of North West Essex (88%) support it
• A similar level of support also exists in Keir Starmer’s constituency of Holborn and St Pancras (86%) and Ed Davey’s constituency of Kingston and Surbiton (87%)

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:

“With bills set to rise as a result of Trumplation, the case for a higher minimum wage has never been more important.

“For millions, today’s increase isn’t just a nice to have - it’s a vital lifeline in the face of mounting costs.

“Making work pay isn’t just fair, it’s fundamental to a strong economy. If we want real growth we need working people with money in their pockets spending on their high streets and supporting local businesses.

“Of course there will always be some who cry doom and scaremonger. They are the same voices who opposed the introduction of the minimum wage.

“They were wrong then and they are wrong now.”

On the need to equalise youth rates Paul said:

“Young workers face the same cost of living pressures as everybody else.

“That’s why today’s rise – which narrows the gap with adult workers – is so needed.

“It’s only right that young people get a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.

“Most employers recognise and already pay staff under 21 the full adult rate.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

- MRP: HOPE not hate conducted an online poll of 45,349 adults in the UK through Focaldata between 1st August and 11th September 2025. The results have been projected to Westminster parliamentary constituencies using Multi-level Regression and Poststratification, a statistical technique for estimating public opinion in small areas from larger surveys using census data. 

-The TUC has launched the “stop the steal” campaign in response to Reform’s plans to axe workers’ rights: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/reforms-plan-rip-workers-rights-massively-out-step-british-public-new-poll-reveals

- About the TUC: The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together the 5.3 million working people who make up our 47 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.