Minimum wage gap 'discriminatory'

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The British Youth Council (BYC) is presenting the Low Pay Commission - which advises the Government on the minimum wage - with 580 letters from young people calling for an equal national minimum wage for everyone aged 16 and over.

The delivery coincides with the closure of the commission's annual consultation on the issue.

Currently, the wage stands at £3.30 an hour for 16 and 17-year-olds, £4.25 an hour for 18 to 21-year-olds and £5.35 an hour for those aged 22 and over. On October 1, it will rise to £3.40 for 16 and 17-year-olds, £4.60 for 18 to 21-year-olds and £5.52 an hour for those aged 22 and over.

The BYC argues that this is deeply discriminatory.

Spokeswoman Jo Field said: "BYC believes the age-tiered minimum wage system contravenes the spirit, if not the letter of the Employment Discrimination (Age) Regulations 2006.

"BYC is campaigning for equal pay for equal work, regardless of age, and this is a human rights issue.

"The Government needs to take a positive step towards creating cultural change by sending out the clear message that young people have equal 'worth' in the labour market.

"BYC urges the Low Pay Commission to act on young people's evidence and advise ministers to introduce an equal minimum wage for all."

A statement from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform said the Government had always acted on the recommendations of the commission.