The announcement today of an increase in the National Minimum Wage is welcomed by the CBI, the only business representative organisation on the Low Pay Commission.
John Cridland, CBI Deputy Director-General, said:
“This moderate increase recognizes that many businesses are struggling, and helps protect jobs at a time of rising unemployment. The inflation-busting rise some unions had called for would have hit firms hard and put many lower paid workers on the dole.
“Over the past decade, the minimum wage has risen faster than average earnings and inflation, and a sensible, cautious approach now will help ensure this landmark piece of legislation continues to improve the lives of low paid workers for many years to come.”
1. On October 1 2009, the adult rate of National Minimum Wage will rise from £5.73 per hour to £5.80, a rise of 1.2%.
2. The Low Pay Commission is the independent body which recommends the rate of NMW to the Government. The CBI is the only business representative organisation represented on the LPC.
3. The CBI is the UK's leading business organisation, speaking for some 240,000 businesses that together employ around a third of the private sector workforce. With offices across the UK as well as in Brussels, Washington and Beijing, the CBI coordinates British business representation around the world.