Well over a million of the UK’s lowest paid workers – security officers among them – will see their wages increase in October when the adult National Minimum Wage rate rises from GB pound 4.20 to GB pound 4.50 per hour (the rate for 18-21-year-olds rising from GB pound 3.60 to GB pound 3.80).
The news comes in the wake of the Low Pay Commission’s Fourth Report published on 19 March.
The Government has also provisionally accepted the Commission’s recommendations that the rates be further increased to GB pound 4.85 and GB pound 4.10 in October 2004, subject to further advice from the Commission early next year.
Chairman of the Low Pay Commission, Adair Turner, told SMT: "The National Minimum Wage has benefited workers without damaging the economy or employment. We now want to build on its initial success, producing the maximum benefit for low paid workers which can be achieved without damaging business and employment prospects.
"We’ve therefore recommended significant increases in minimum wage rates, above the forecast increase in average earnings."
