Doubts raised over minimum wage rises

The
TUC fears that the low paid could be made to suffer economically following the
terror attacks on the United States.

A
letter quoted in The Sunday Times heightens concerns, with the director-general
of the British Chambers of Commerce apparently calling for a postponement of
the national minimum wage rise.

The
letter from David Lennan was sent to Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia
Hewitt and called for the rise, due to take place next week, to be halted until
April because of economic uncertainty caused by the tragedy.

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A
spokesman for the TUC claimed that the rise, from £3.70 to £4.10, should go
ahead despite the economic conditions. He said,  "There is no evidence that the minimum wage has had an
adverse effect on the economy or jobs. These are difficult times but it would
be wrong to make the lowest paid suffer."

By
Ross Wigham