Minimum wage boost for workers

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The TUC said the rise on Wednesday (October 1) from £5.52 to £5.73 an hour will help reduce the gender pay gap and save the taxpayer £245 million in benefit payments.

The 3.8% rise is the ninth increase since the statutory rate was introduced by the Labour Government in 1998, giving an increase of 59%, compared to a 44% growth in average earnings over the same period.

Introducing a minimum wage has not led to any significant job cuts despite predictions from some business lobbyists, said the union organisation.

The TUC said the Low Pay Commission should recommend a "significant" increase in the figure for next year.

General secretary Brendan Barber said: "The increase in the minimum wage will help thousands of families but the low-paid face a high inflation rate as they spend a much greater proportion of their income on food and energy where prices have rocketed.

"It is entirely predictable that some employer groups will say that the minimum wage increase will threaten jobs, yet it has helped millions without significant job losses. The Low Pay Commission should robustly reject employer scare-mongering and recognise the higher inflation faced by the low paid when it shortly sets next year's increase.

"Honest employers do suffer, however, when dodgy ones fail to pay the minimum wage. Dodging the minimum wage also leaves the UK's vulnerable workers in even deeper poverty - and we all pay the price for this.

"Tougher enforcement penalties and greater funding for HM Revenue and Customs are the best ways to crackdown on these minimum wage cheats."

The minimum wage for 18 to 22-year-olds will increase on Wednesday from £4.60 to £4.77 an hour and for 16 and 17-year-olds from £3.40 to £3.53.