3.60 minimum wage recommended

28 May 1998

£3.60 minimum wage recommended

UNIONS were shaping up for a battle with the Government last night after the Low Pay Commission recommended a minimum wage of £3.60 an hour for workers over 21.

Union bosses have been calling for a minimum wage of between £4 and £4.61. They are hoping to convince Prime Minister Tony Blair to over rule the commissions recommendation and bump up the minimum wage, however, this seems unlikely.

When Labour came to office, Mr Blair announced that the Government would set up a minimum wage, but did not stipulate how much it would be.

The commission is also believed to have suggested a rate of £3.20 for workers between 18 and 21 and those on training schemes. Employers backed the commissions recommendation yesterday saying anything above £3.60 was unworkable.

• The Times 28/05/98 page 1
• The Daily Telegraph 28/05/98 page 1, page 2
• Financial Times 28/05/98 page 1, page 11, page 19 (Editorial comment)
• The Scotsman 28/05/98 page 2
• The Guardian 28/05/98 page 1, page 10
• The Independent 28/05/98 page 1, page 10