§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) men and (b) women have benefited from the introduction of the national minimum wage. [53877]
§ Ruth KellyThe information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 7 May 2002:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the number of men and women who have benefited from the introduction of the National Minimum Wage (NMW). (53877)The table shows the number of jobs held by men and women which were paid below the NMW levels prevailing in the years 1998 to 2001.
Number of UK jobs paid at less than National Minimum Wage rates 000s Men Women Spring 19981 420 1,100 Spring 19992 200 380 Spring 20002 100 200 Spring 20013 110 210 1 Figures for spring 1998, before the NMW was introduced, are for the number of jobs paid at less than £3.00 per hour (aged 18–21) or £3.60 per hour (aged 22 and over). 2NMW rates of £3.00 per hour (aged 18–21) or £3.60 per hour (aged 22 and over). 3 NMW rates of £3.20 per hour (aged 18–21) or £3.70 per hour (aged 22 and over).