§ 8. Mr. Huw Edwards (Monmouth)What estimate he has made of the impact of the national minimum wage on the average income in Wales. [82092]
§ 9. Mrs. Diana Organ (Forest of Dean)What estimate he has made of the impact of the national minimum wage on the average income in Wales. [82093]
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Alun Michael)No estimate is available of the impact of the national minimum wage on the average income in Wales, but we know that 109,000 people in Wales will benefit from the national minimum wage, and that is good news for the economy of Wales as a whole.
§ Mr. EdwardsDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the national minimum wage will be one of the Government's lasting achievements and that, combined with the working families tax credit, the increases in child benefit and the lop starting rate of tax, all of which were opposed by the Conservative party, it will make a significant difference to the incomes of people in Wales?
§ Mr. MichaelYes, indeed. Combating poverty is a major priority. It is good to see that people such as small business representatives now see the value of a national minimum wage.
§ Mrs. OrganDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the measures that we have introduced to raise the income of 109,000 people in Wales are a refreshing change from the previous Government's policies, which were an attempt to promote Wales as a low-skill, low-wage area?
§ Mr. MichaelYes, indeed. If we can end dependency, get people into work and improve their skills and the quality of jobs available to them, that will be a test by which I will be glad to be judged when we can see the success that the first four years of the National Assembly for Wales will have brought about.