§ Mr. NormanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the additional costs that will be imposed on the care homes sector as a result of the increase in the national minimum wage. [109656]
§ Alan JohnsonThe independent Low Pay Commission looked at this issue in their recent report to the Government. They estimated that their recommended increases in the minimum wage rates for 1 October 2003 would increase the wage bill in the social care sector by up to 0.5 per cent.