Young on minimum wage lose ground


The National Minimum Wage for workers aged 16-20 is worth less in real terms than it was in 2008, TUC analysis revealed as the new minimum wage rates kicked in at the beginning of April.


Young people aged 16- and 17 year-olds working a 40-hour week on the minimum wage are £300 worse off a year in real terms since 2008, while 18-20 year olds are £250 worse off a year.


In the same period, rates for those aged over 20 have exceeded inflation, resulting in real gains in their incomes.


As of 1 April, the National Living Wage — the National Minimum Wage for over 25s — increases by 4.2%, while the rates for younger workers will increase by only 0.9% to 1.4%.


TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Young workers are getting a raw deal.”

https://www.tuc.org.uk/economic-issues/minimum-wage-younger-workers-worth-less-decade-ago