Two Low Pay Commissioners will visit the North East on a fact-finding visit about the National Minimum Wage on Wednesday 06 October. Ian Hay and Ian Brinkley will meet employers and employees to find out how the minimum wage has affected them.

Low Pay Commissioner Ian Hay said: "Regional visits are an important way of hearing first hand how the minimum wage is affecting businesses and workers.

Listening to those directly affected by the minimum wage is a crucial part of the Commission’s work in making recommendations to the Government."

Notes to Editors

1.       The Low Pay Commission is a statutory body whose role is to advise the Government on the National Minimum Wage.

2.       The Commission has produced five reports.  These are available from the Stationery Office Bookshops or the Commission’s website at: http://www.lowpay.gov.uk

3.       The members of the Low Pay Commission are:
Adair Turner (Chairman), Vice Chairman, Merrill Lynch Europe; Ian Brinkley, TUC Chief Economist and Head of the TUC's Economic and Social Affairs Department; Professor William Brown CBE, Professor of Industrial Relations, University of Cambridge; John Cridland, Deputy Director-General, CBI; Paul Gates OBE, Deputy General Secretary of Community; Ian Hay OBE, Chairman, Food Trade Association Management; Professor David Metcalf, Professor of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics; Baroness Margaret Prosser OBE, Former Deputy General Secretary, Transport and General Workers Union; and Angie Risley, Human Resources Director, Whitbread PLC. 

4.      The National Minimum Wage for those over 21 is £4.50 per hour. For those aged 18 to 21 or over 21 but in the first six months of a new job with a new employer and receiving accredited training, the rate is £3.80 per hour. The Government has accepted the Commission’s recommendation that there should be further increases to £4.85 and £4.10 from 1 October 2004. A minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds of £3.00 an hour will also be introduced in October 2004.

Low Pay Commission
Lower Ground Floor
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET
Tel. 020 7215 6052

www.lowpay.gov.uk