Debates between Earl of Courtown and Baroness Sherlock during the 2015-2017 Parliament

Thu 5th Nov 2015

Living Wage

Debate between Earl of Courtown and Baroness Sherlock
Thursday 5th November 2015

(9 years ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Sherlock Portrait Baroness Sherlock (Lab)
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My Lords, the KPMG report shows that 72% of 18 to 21 year-olds are earning less than the living wage compared with 17% of those in their 30s, yet the Government have chosen to exclude under-25s from getting what they call the new living wage—in fact, a new minimum rate for over-25s. I would like the Minister to tell the House why. The Paymaster-General, Matthew Hancock, said the reason was that young people were not productive enough to merit a living wage. Is that the reason? If not, what is?

Earl of Courtown Portrait The Earl of Courtown
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My Lords, as the noble Baroness is aware, the national minimum wage, which covers young people under 25, has had the biggest increase in its rate—3%—since 2006. This means that the national minimum wage is closer to the average wage than ever before. She asked a number of other questions that I do not—

Baroness Sherlock Portrait Baroness Sherlock
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The question was “Why?”.