BYC: Young people call for equal national minimum wage
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Monday, 05, Nov 2007 12:00
The British Youth Council (BYC) will tomorrow, Tuesday 6th November, meet with the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to discuss the impact of the minimum wage at the Western Linton Lodge Hotel, Oxford.
BYC is campaigning for an equal national minimum wage for everyone aged 16 and over and hopes that the LPC will recommend to government that it deliver equality for young people.
BYC spokesperson, George Robinson, 18, said: “We are delighted that the commission is consulting people of our age about an issue which is so important to us.
“BYC believe that creating an equal minimum wage would have great symbolic significance and send out a clear message to young people that they have equal ‘worth’ within the labour market.
“I am looking forward to discussing these issues with the commissioners.”
BYC’s campaign has the backing of the Liberal Democrat Party and some Labour and Conservative MPs are also supportive. Liberal Democrat Trade and Industry spokesperson Lembit Opik said “It is about time that young people were able to benefit from the same National Minimum Wage rate as over-21s. Make no mistake, this is discrimination. I believe in equality for all, we would equalise the National Minimum Wage.”
Ends.
Notes to Editors:
For further information please contact:
Jo Field
Head of Policy and Public Affairs
British Youth Council
0207 7022 1974
press@byc.org.uk
www.byc.org.uk
Out of hours: Jo Field, Head of Policy and Public Affairs 07809 507360
1. The LPC is an independent statutory non departmental public body set up under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 to advise the Government about the National Minimum Wage. It consists of nine commissioners who are drawn from a range of union, business and academic backgrounds.
2. The current minimum wage tier’s are as follows:
Adult rate (workers aged 22 and over) is £5.35, which will increase to £5.52 from 1 October 2007
Development rate for 18-21 year olds is £4.25, which will increase to £4.60 from 1 October 2007
Development rate for 16-17 year olds is £3.30, which will increase to £3.40 from 1 October 2007
3. BYC is the national youth council and voice for young people under 26 living in the UK. We represent and involve a unique coalition of young people through their involvement as individuals or through national, regional or local youth organisations.
4. BYC’s coalition includes over 170 national youth organisations such as Girlguiding UK, campaigning organisations such as the National Union of Students (NUS) and youth wings of trade unions, political parties, faith and arts organisations. Also within our membership and network are 400 local youth councils and organisations representing specific groups such as lesbian, gay and bisexual and black and minority ethnic young people.
5. BYC works to ensure that young people are involved at every level of decision-making to allow them to be represented and to make their voices heard.
6. We aim to do four things: Provide a voice for young people; Promote equality for young people; Help young people be more involved in decisions that affect their lives; Advance young people’s participation in society and civil life.
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