§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the minimum wage on the(a) level of employment and (b) profitability of businesses. [104882]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonThe Government asked the independent Low Pay Commission to report on the implementation of the national minimum wage, particularly its impact on employment and competitiveness. We received the Commission's Report in December and will publish the Report and the Government's response as soon as Ministers have had an opportunity to consider its findings and recommendations.