Workers under the age of 25 are not “productive” enough to warrant being paid the new National Living Wage, according to Government Minister Matthew Hancock.
In this summer’s budget, Chancellor George Osborne announced a new minimum wage for over 25s would come into force from next April, starting at £7.20 an hour and increasing to £9 by 2020.
But those under 25 will be on the old minimum wage rates, meaning they are entitled to £6.70 an hour, down to £5.30 for 18 to 20 year olds and £3.87 for under 18s.
Trade union Unison said the remarks showed the Government was "out of touch".
A Survation poll for the Huffington Post published last week showed the majority of Britons – 66 per cent - believe the new higher rate should be given to under 25s.
Speaking at a fringe event at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester this afternoon, Mr Hancock defended the different rates.
Read more:
http://report24uk.info/article/327314/tory-minister-matthew-hancock-under-25s-are-too-unproductive-to-deserve-national-living-wage
