Welfare Reform on the Web (November 1999): Minimum Wage - UK

LOW PAY COMMISSION IN CONTEXT

C Thornley and D Coffey

Work, Employment and Society, vol. 13, 1999, p. 525-538

Article provides an initial comment on the Low Pay Commission, focusing on context, process and remit, and on relevance to broader debates on the meaning of 'fair' wages and economic 'efficiency'. First section explores the political economic context. The second compares and contrasts the Commission's deliberations and recommendations. Finally an assessment is made of these recommendations and the implications for the unions.

MINIMUM WAGE RATES CONDEMNED

C Buckly

Times, Sept. 14th 1999, p. 28

Unions have clashed with the government over the minimum wage in condemning the £3.60 per hour adult rate and the £3.00 per hour starter rate for under-22s as inadequate.