Press Release 18 January 2006

LOW PAY COMMISSION VISIT TO NORTH WALES

Two Low Pay Commissioners will visit North Wales on a fact-finding visit about the National Minimum Wage on Thursday 19 January.

Ian Hay and Paul Gates will meet representatives from the Hospitality & Tourism and Education sector to hear at first hand the impact the National Minimum Wage is having on businesses and employees.

Low Pay Commissioner Paul Gates said: We want to hear the views of all groups with an interest in the minimum wage. Listening to those directly affected by the minimum wage is a crucial part of the Commission’s work in making recommendations to the Government. We welcome the opportunity to hear how it has affected people in North Wales.

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 six 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:
Lord Turner of Ecchinswell (Chairman), Vice-Chairman, Merrill Lynch Holdings Ltd; Ian Brinkley, Chief Economist and Head of Economic and Social Affairs Department, Trades Union Congress; Professor William Brown CBE, Professor of Industrial Relations and Master of Darwin College, University of Cambridge; John Cridland CBE, Deputy Director-General, CBI; Paul Gates OBE, Deputy General Secretary, Community; Ian Hay OBE, Chairman, Food Trade Association Management; Professor David Metcalf, Professor of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics; Heather Wakefield, Head of Local Government, UNISON; and Angie Risley, Board Member, Whitbread Group PLC.

4. The National Minimum Wage for those over 21 is £5.05 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 £4.25 per hour. The minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds is £3.00 an hour.

Low Pay Commission
8th Floor
Oxford House
76 Oxford Street
LONDON
W1D 1BS

Tel. 020 7467 7279

http://www.lowpay.gov.uk