§ Mr. Alan SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of revenue expenditure and savings, broken down by (i) income tax, (ii) national insurance and (iii) means tested benefits, arising from the introduction of a national minimum wage at(a) £3.50 per hour and (b) £4.20 per hour, accompanied by a reduction in housing benefit and family credit tapers to 50 per cent. and replacing the current 20 tax band with 10p. [2969]
§ Mr. FieldWe will ask the independent Low Pay Commission, before it reaches a recommendation on the level at which the national minimum wage might be set, to take into account all the economic circumstances, including its likely impact. We will not speculate about the possible effects of hypothetical levels before the Commission has had a chance to consider the issues.