10th Anniversary of the National Minimum Wage
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the introduction of the National Minimum Wage. It’s an achievement of which this Government can be proud. Last week it rose again, to £5.80 an hour. Nearly a million people will benefit from this increase when it comes into effect in October, including 55,000 in the North East.
Moves are also underway to make sure that people receive the full adult rate as soon as they turn twenty one. And two weeks ago, the Government announced that minimum wage regulations should be changed so that tips and service charges could no longer be used to make up staff salaries to the minimum legal level. This change will take effect in October this year.
These are brave decisions to be making in the current financial climate, but they are the right ones. In times of economic difficulty it’s vital that we offer help to those who need it most.
The Government will continue to do all it can to help those who are struggling financially now, while investing in the businesses and industries that will provide jobs when the economy recovers. The additional protections for workers which have been put in place over the last ten years will provide a solid basis for the job market to start growing again.
