Low Pay Commission (Triennial Review)

Norman Lamb Excerpts

Tuesday 10th July 2012 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Norman Lamb)]

The coalition Government made a commitment to review public bodies, with the aim of increasing accountability for actions carried out on behalf of the state. The IPC, which advises the Government on national minimum wage issues, has been selected as one of the non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) for which the review will be commencing during the second year of the programme (2012-13). The review will commence today. This is not a review of the national minimum wage, to which the Government remain committed. The national minimum wage provides much needed protection for low paid workers and encourages those out of work to get back into the labour market.

Triennial reviews will be based on the successful methodology applied during the 2010 public bodies review.

The findings of both stages of the review will be examined by a challenge group with cross-Government representation. The outcome will be announced to Parliament within six months of the review commencing.