Britain to hike national minimum wage beginning October
London, England, United Kingdom (AHN) – More than 890,000 British workers are expected to benefit from a recommendation from the Low Pay Commission to hike the national minimum wage beginning October. The new rates, which ministers have approved, are $9.96 (GBP 6.08) per hour for adult workers and $8.16 (GBP 4.98) for youth workers aged 18 to 20.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said the salary adjustment reflects the present economic uncertainty, but provides protection to the country’s lowest-paid employees. Low Pay Commission Chairman David Norgrove said the new rates provide a proper balance between the financial needs of the low-paid workers and challenges faced by businesses.
British Chambers of Commerce Director General David Frost disagreed with the pay adjustment, announced by the commission Thursday. Instead of hiking the wage of those who have jobs, Frost said the government should have given higher priority to providing employment to jobless Britons.
Wages for 16- to 17-year old workers will also go up to $6.03 (GBP 3.68) and for apprentices to $4.26 (GBP 2.60) an hour.
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