Switch to an accessible version of this website which is easier to read. (requires cookies)

Equal minimum wages needed for young workers

October 10, 2006 4:59 PM
Jo Swinson speaking in the House of Commons

New laws against age discrimination pose difficult questions over the legality of the current minimum wage arrangements

Jo Swinson today challenged Government Ministers to tackle age discrimination at work by standardising the national minimum wage for all age groups.

The minimum wage recently rose to £3.30 per hour for 16-18-year-olds, £4.45 for 18-21-year-olds and £5.35 an hour for adults. However, the possibility of legal challenges over these varying pay rates has been raised by the Government's new age discrimination legislation which came into effect on October 1st.

Speaking in Parliament today, Jo asked Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander:

An estimated 56,000 Scots between the ages 16 and 21 are earning less than their older colleagues, solely because of their age. Does the Minister agree that this age discrimination is probably illegal and certainly unacceptable, and that it is time for the lower minimum wage rates for young workers to go?

Jo commented:

"By outlawing age discrimination at work while operating a policy of lower minimum pay for young workers, Ministers have walked into a legal minefield. They must remove age barriers and operate one standard minimum wage for workers of all ages, before legal challenges to the minimum wage begin to flood the courts.

"The blanket approach of lowering the minimum wage for all 16-21-year-olds to give them an advantage in the job market may help in some cases, but for all young people to be paid less to improve the job prospects of a few is unfair.

"The recent example of ASDA paying their under-18 employees the same hourly wage as their adult staff is a welcome example of a company embracing the new legislation. The Government should show the same respect to young people."

Related Links

What would you like to do next?

  • Subscribe for updates

    Read updates from this website in your desktop or online news reader

    • On a news reader website

      •  
      •  
      •  

      In a desktop news reader or a website not listed above

      •  
    • Example monthly digest email
      •  
      •  
      •  

    • If you submit your contact details, Jo Swinson, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Join our email list

    • If you submit your contact details, Jo Swinson, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Follow the party's activity on...

  • Share this page

    Share this page on another website

    Link to this page

    On websites and printed material:
    joswinson.org.uk/en/article/2006/055814/equal-minimum-wages-needed-for-young-workers
    In text messages, Twitter, or reading over the phone:
    js.lib.dm/a42nf

    Email this page to a friend


    • Generate different image

    Print this page

  • Help out or donate

    Help out in your local area

      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  

    • If you submit your contact details, Jo Swinson, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Join the Liberal Democrats

  • Tell us what you think

    Send us your views

    If you are a resident of the East Dunbartonshire constituency and are writing to discuss any issue that Parliament or government is responsible for, you must provide your home address as MPs are generally only permitted to act on behalf of constituents.

    If you are not a constituent, you do not need to provide your address, but the matters we can deal with are more limited and you may wish to contact your local MP in the first instance.

    • If you agree, Jo Swinson, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Contact us by email, post, or phone