National Minimum Wage rise to help a million low-paid workers

 Peter Mandelson, Labour’s Business Secretary, and Pat McFadden MP, Labour’s Business Minister, today announced the National Minimum Wage will increase from October 2009 - benefiting a million low-paid workers.

 The National Minimum Wage for low-paid workers aged 22 and over will rise from £5.73 to £5.80 an hour; the rate for 18-22 year olds will increase from £4.77 to £4.83; and for 16-17 year olds it will go up from £3.53 to £3.57 an hour. From October 2010 the top rate of National Minimum Wage will be extended to 21 year olds.

 Today’s increase was unanimously recommended by the Low Pay Commission, the independent forum which includes business and Union representation.

 Labour introduced the National Minimum Wage ten years ago against Conservative opposition.

 Peter Mandelson said today:

"The National Minimum Wage has been in place for 10 years and remains one of the most important rights for workers introduced in that time.

"I am very proud of the difference it has made to the lives of the UK's lowest-paid workers. It protects them from exploitation and also creates a level playing field for business, making a huge contribution to the UK's economic success.”

Pat McFadden said:

“This increase is a fair deal for people who work hard, extra help for almost a million of the lowest paid.

“David Cameron campaigned against the introduction of the National Minimum Wage, and this week Tory MPs are bringing a motion in Parliament to allow people to be paid less than it. The Tories’ opposition to the support that Labour is giving to people during the recession shows how out of touch they are.”