Minimum Wage (Hansard, 30 March 2000)

§ 21. Mr. Corbyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next expects to review the level of the national minimum wage. [115680]

§ Mr. Alan Johnson
We are asking the Low Pay Commission, in its new remit, to continue to monitor the minimum wage and advise on a range of issues including whether there is a case for a further increase in the minimum wage rates and, if so, by how much. The Commission has been asked to report again by July 2001, and the Government will implement any rate changes in October of that year.
Meanwhile, in the light of the Low Pay Commission's positive findings in its second report, which we published on 15 February, we have already announced increases in the minimum wage rates later this year. The youth rate increases to £3.20 on 1 June 2000 and the main rate increases to £3.70 on 1 October 2000.

§ 31. Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account is taken of an employer's provision of board and lodging when calculating the minimum wage payable. [115693]

§ Mr. Alan Johnson
The only benefit in kind which counts towards national minimum wage pay is accommodation. The maximum amount which can be offset against national minimum wage pay by employers who provide accommodation is £19.95 per week.
The provision of other benefits such as meals is not taken into account when calculating whether the national minimum wage has been paid. This approach follows recommendations by the Low Pay Commission in its first and second reports and its special report into the accommodation offset.