Farron welcomes announcement that National Minimum Wage will rise 3%
South Lakes MP Tim Farron has today welcomed the news that the independent body which advises the Government on the National Minimum Wage is to recommend that it be increased by 3%.
The above-inflation rise would take the adult rate from £6.50 to 6.70 an hour, the biggest rise since 2008.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said the Low Pay Commission's recommendations had always been accepted by politicians. If approved, the increase would apply from October. The Low Pay Commission's recommendations to the Government for the 2015 rates are as follows:
- Adult rate - £6.70
- 18-20 rate - £5.30
- 16-17 rate - £3.87
- Apprenticeship rate - £2.80
Tim recently called on local residents to support his campaign to increase the National Minimum Wage. He has also been lobbying Ministers over the last few months for an increase, but emphasised that they must take into account the concerns of the local tourism sector and small businesses.
Tim said: "Making it easier for people to get by has been a massive issue over the last few years. I'm delighted that, if agreed, this boost would represent an annual pay rise of £416 for a full time worker on the minimum wage. I have pushed with colleagues to give people on low and middle incomes a tax cut and increasing the minimum wage is another part of that. "