The Minimum Wage Committee has recommended the government adopt a new Single Hourly Rate of £12.86 and a Youth Rate of £10.16.
In a letter dated January 19 to the Minister for Enterprise Tim Johnston, Committee Chair Anne Marie Weadock confirmed the body “met urgently this evening, as requested, to consider these rates and has resolved to recommend both of the proposed rates”.
The Committee welcomed what it called a “reset of the policy,” linking it to the Chief Minister’s recent decision to return to an evidence-based framework.
The letter adds, “this reinforces the importance of the Chief Minister’s decision, which the Committee applauds, to return to an evidence-based framework in setting the Minimum Wage into the future.”
It expressed concern that the recent process had been “at risk of becoming overly politicised” and cautioned against “using an absolute differential in the longer term”.
The Committee believes the revised rates, which follow its initial proposals, strike a better balance.