A single rate for all age groups

The government argues that age differentials in the NMW legislation are necessary because younger workers are more at risk of being priced out of jobs than older workers. However, unions argue that this age discrimination goes against a basic sense of fairness in the workplace and also the evidence of how many employers actually choose to implement the rates. The following is UNISON’s perspective:

• younger age groups do not benefit from discounted rates of inflation or generally experience a lower cost of living;

• a survey by analysts XpertHR in 2017 found that 54% of employers pay the highest minimum wage rate to all staff regardless of age;

• almost no national agreements in the public sector across health, local government and education include any differential by age;

• there is evidence that paying the highest NMW rate improves apprenticeship completion rates;

• the current apprenticeship rate is so low that it acts as a barrier to taking up apprenticeships because people simply cannot afford to live on the wage.