HC Deb 15 April 2002 vol 383 cc746-7W
Jeff Ennis

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the national minimum wage. [49988]

Ms Hewitt

The Government said last year, following recommendations from the Low Pay Commission, that it would consider the economic circumstances at the time before deciding whether to increase the main and development rates of the minimum wage by 10 pence/hour in October 2002, to £4.20 and £3.60 respectively.

The Government have considered the latest evidence across the overall economy and in the key sectors most affected by the minimum wage. We have concluded that conditions in the autumn of 2002 can be expected to support increases of 10 pence/hour and will therefore make regulations implementing these increases later this year. We have placed a short paper on this subject in the Libraries of the House.