Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to paragraph 4.31 of the Autumn Budget 2017, for what reasons (a) 18 to 20 year olds and (b) 16 to 17 year olds are paid less than the level of the National Minimum Wage set for 21 to 24 year olds.

The Government sets age-related minimum wages in order to protect younger workers, who may otherwise be more vulnerable to being unemployed than older workers.

The 2017 Low Pay Commission report (Figure 3.15) shows the unemployment rates for young people not in full-time education in the UK is 31.3 per cent for 16-18 year olds, 15.5 per cent for 18-20 year olds. This compares to 8.4 per cent for those aged 21 to 24 in the second quarter of 2017.

The Government is setting minimum thresholds only and we recognise and commend those employers who seek to set higher rates of pay.