National Minimum Wage

Lord Morris of Handsworth Excerpts

Monday 19th October 2015 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Courtown]

My noble friend makes some good points. Recent employment figures show the greatest number of people ever in work. We have more young people in work and we have more women in work.

[Lord Morris of Handsworth (Lab)]

My Lords, the new minimum wage, as well as the living wage, is causing some confusion in industry, given that one is statutory while the other is advisory. Will the Government consider asking the Low Pay Commission to lead a discussion to ensure that a new social living wage emerges?

[The Earl of Courtown]

My Lords, the noble Lord mentions both the national minimum wage and the national living wage. The adult rate of the national minimum wage, as the noble Lord is no doubt aware, increased by 3%—the biggest real increase since 2006. The noble Lord also mentioned the national living wage. This becomes statutory from 2016.