Minimum wage rises to go ahead
The Government confirmed increases to the national minimum wage, which will see the adult rate rise to £5.93 an hour in October.
The 13p rise was proposed by the Labour government, as well as a 9p increase in the rate for 18- to 20-year-olds to 4.92 and a 7p RISE for 16- and 17-year-olds to 3.64.
Yesterday the Government confirmed the new rates would come into effect on October 1, and said the remit of the Low Pay Commission for making future recommendations would include paying particular attention to the competitiveness of small firms and young people's job prospects.
The Low Pay Commission estimates that around 970,000 people could benefit from the increases.