Press Release 22 September 2005

LOW PAY COMMISSION VISIT TO MANCHESTER

The Low Pay Commission will visit Manchester on a fact-finding visit about the National Minimum Wage on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 September 2005.

Three Commissioners, John Cridland, Ian Hay and David Metcalf, will meet representatives from the health and retail sectors to hear at first hand the impact the National Minimum Wage is having on businesses and employees in the area.

Low Pay Commissioner David Metcalf 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 Manchester.

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: Adair Turner (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, 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 £4.85 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 £4.10 per hour. The Government has accepted the Commission's recommendation that there should be further increases to £5.05 and £4.25 respectively from 1 October 2005. The minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds of £3.00 an hour will remain the same in 2005.

Low Pay Commission
8th Floor
Oxford House
76 Oxford Street
LONDON
W1D 1BS
Tel. 020 7467 7279
http://www.lowpay.gov.uk