Healey signals younger workers may not get equal minimum wage before election

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 19:08 · Archive

Chancellor John Healey has suggested younger workers might not receive the same minimum wage as others before the next election.

Chancellor John Healey has suggested that younger workers might not receive the same minimum wage as others before the next election, potentially breaking a Labour manifesto promise. In 2024, Labour pledged to remove 'discriminatory age bands' and end the gap between the adult minimum wage and pay for 18 to 20-year-olds.

In the Budget announced last week, Healey said younger workers would see the same increase as older workers, leaving the gap in place. From 2026, workers aged 18 to 20 will receive £11.27 an hour, whilst those over 20 will earn £13.21. When asked by the BBC whether younger workers would be paid the same by the next election, Healey said: 'We'll take one step at a time. There is no question about whether or if, it's a question of when - it's a question of how fast.'

Healey said he wanted to 'look hard' at trade-offs between jobs and wages. He stated that he wanted to bring business and trade unions together, citing 'a million youngsters - written off without any prospect of being helped into work'. He added that Labour remained committed to the ambition of equalising wages, but hinted the plan might be delayed, partly to encourage businesses to employ younger workers.

How it is being reported

• Healey hints manifesto pledge on young worker pay not certain before electionIn 2024, Labour committed to closing the gap between adult minimum wage and pay for 18 to 20-year-olds.Evening Standard · 31 Oct, 22:57
• John Healey says young workers might not get minimum wage boost before next electionThe Chancellor insisted John Healey insisted the boost to young people's wages would still happen, but that he wanted to 'look hard' at the trade-offs between jobsThe Mirror · 31 Oct, 18:46
• Healey risks breaking minimum wage promise for younger workersThe Chancellor has suggested that younger workers might not receive the same minimum wage as others before the next election.BBC News · 31 Oct, 17:26

In this story: John Healey · Labour

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