UNISON Chief, Dave Prentis, said today that the new minimum wage rates were “Bitterly disappointing and will condemn millions of families to life on the breadline.”
Dave Prentis, went on to say:
“While the Chancellor looks set to cut income tax for the very richest, those at the bottom of the pay pile do not have enough to live on. An extra 11p an hour is simply not enough. Millions of workers need a living wage* of £8 an hour to cope with rising prices and keep them out of poverty.
“And what message are we sending to our young people when the rates for those under 21 are frozen? They deserve a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, and should not be left vulnerable to exploitation.
“Of course it is taxpayers who lose out too, as they will have to pick up the in-work benefits bill because of Scrooge employers.”
From 1 October 2012, the adult minimum wage rate is set to increase from £6.08 to £6.19 an hour, the Youth Development Rate stays the same at £4.98 an hour as does the rate for 16-17 Year Old Rate at £3.68 an hour. The Apprentice Rate increases from £2.60 to £2.65 an hour.
*The Living Wage is an hourly rate, set independently, every year. It is calculated according to cost of living and gives the minimum pay rate required for a worker to provide their family with the essentials of life. In London the current rate is £8.30 per hour. Outside of London the current rate is £7.20.
