§ 19. Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland benefit from the uprating of the national minimum wage. [17505]
§ Mr. FoulkesThe increase in the adult national minimum wage to £4.10 per hour and the youth rate to £3.50 from October 2001 is benefiting around 135,000 people across Scotland. The national minimum wage is having a direct and beneficial impact on the pay of the lowest paid workers in Scotland; is helping to close the gap between the highest and lowest earners; and is helping reduce the differential between men's and women's pay. This has been achieved without any discernible adverse impact on the economy.