Low Pay Commissioners will visit Northern Ireland on a fact-finding visit concerning the National Minimum Wage on Friday 24 September. Willy Brown, Ian Hay and Paul Gates will be talking to those in the cleaning, hospitality, social care and textiles sectors to hear at first hand what impact the National Minimum Wage is having on businesses and employees.”

Low Pay Commissioner Paul Gates said: “We have a clear remit for our work and as part of its work programme the Commission is seeking evidence from employers, workers and their representatives, as well as academics and Government Departments. Commissioners will also visit various parts of the country in order to talk directly to those experiencing low pay and those for whom it has raised issues that they would like to explain to the Commission.

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
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London SW1H 0ET
Tel. 020 7215 6052

Tel. 020 7855 4553

www.lowpay.gov.uk