The
Government has announced today that it will increase the National Minimum Wage to
£4.10 per hour in October.
It
said it would also increase mandatory basic rate of pay to £4.20 per hour a
year later.
The
first increase will come into effect on 1 October, 2001, the second increase
will come into effect on 1 October, 2002.
Professor
George Bain, chairman of the Low Pay Commission said, “Our recommendation,
which reflects the unanimous agreement of the commission, came after extensive
consultation and discussion with employers and trade unions.”
John
Monks, the TUC’s general secretary, welcomed the increase.
“This
is clearly another significant step towards a decent minimum wage. It will mean
a very welcome 11 per cent rise for up to 1.4 million workers. I welcome the
Government’s decision to implement the Low Pay Commission’s report in full.”
By Richard Staines. Click here to
respond.
