Young workers “left hugely out of pocket” because of outdated minimum wage youth rates
Responding to Low Pay Commission’s recommendation today (Wednesday) that all workers aged 18 and over should be paid the adult rate of the minimum wage, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:
“The Low Pay Commission is right that young people should be paid the adult rate of the minimum wage.
“Too many young workers are being left hugely out of pocket because of outdated youth rates.
“And the gap between these youth rates and the rate for those over 21 has widened in recent years.
“Young people are being hammered by the cost-of-living crisis – and like everyone else, they need more money in their pockets now.
“The Labour opposition have already committed to ensuring that discriminatory age bands are removed – it’s welcome to hear that the Low Pay Commission agrees.”
- Youth rates of minimum wage: TUC analysis published on Saturday revealed more than 700,000 workers aged 18-20 across the UK risk being left “hugely out of pocket” due to being paid a lower rate of the minimum wage. This means that as many as seven in ten workers aged 18-20 could lose out: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/young-workers-could-miss-out-ps2400-year-due-unfair-minimum-wage-rules#:~:text=Young%20workers%20are%20paid%20a,%C2%A35.28%20for%20under%2018s
- About the TUC: The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together the 5.5 million working people who make up our 48 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.
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