Healey leaves timing of young-worker pay pledge open

Politics · First reported 31 Oct, 19:13 · Updated 19:55

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

John Healey did not guarantee Labour would equalise minimum-wage rates for younger workers by the next election. He said the timing would depend on weighing jobs and wages, while also saying the Government would continue preparing departmental spending decisions.

Labour’s 2024 manifesto commitment was to close the pay gap between the adult minimum wage and the rate for 18-to-20-year-olds.
Healey said he wanted to assess the trade-offs between jobs and wages and work with businesses and trade unions; he described the pledge as a question of when and how fast.
At the Budget, the national minimum wage and national living wage were both raised by 3.9%; Healey also said preparations were under way for next year’s spending review decisions.

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Key facts

Manifesto commitment: In 2024, Labour committed to closing the gap between adult minimum wage and pay for 18-to-20-year-olds.
Budget wage increase: The national minimum wage and national living wage each rose by 3.9% at the Budget.
Next spending review: Healey said preparations were under way for spending review decisions next year.