Jessica O'ConnorThe majority of young workers aged 18 to 20 are already paid above the youth minimum wage, prompting renewed calls to abolish the lower rate, according to analysis by the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
The research found that around one million young people – 85% of workers in this age group – earn more than the youth rate, meaning only about one in seven are paid the statutory minimum for their age.
It also reported that 63% of working 18- to 20-year-olds receive at least the adult national minimum wage.
Currently, workers aged 21 and over must be paid £12.21 per hour, while those aged 18 to 20 are entitled to £10 per hour.
The TUC argued the gap is increasingly outdated, noting that many employers already pay younger staff the higher rate.
The union body said previous steps to narrow the gap between youth and adult rates had not led to higher unemployment, citing findings from the Low Pay Commission.
The analysis comes ahead of the Spring Statement and amid debate over whether to remove age-based pay bands.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Young people pay the same bills as everyone else and deserve a fair wage for their work.
“Youth rates are not only unfair, but they’re also increasingly obsolete as most businesses hardly use them.
“Youth unemployment is a serious issue that deserves real solutions, like stronger employment rights, an ambitious jobs guarantee and quality apprenticeships – not doomsday scaremongering and misleading claims about the minimum wage.”
He added: “The Low Pay Commission are the trusted experts and should be trusted to finish the job, setting out a plan to abolish the minimum wage youth rates this Parliament.
“The government promised to deliver change. Rowing back in face of unsubstantiated business lobbying – at real cost to young people’s living standards – would be exactly the wrong approach.”
