Prime Minister Burnham's government is considering scaling back planned
increases to the youth minimum wage, sources say. This year the UK minimum wage
rose 4.1% to £12.71 ($17.19); the young-adult rate rose 8.5% to £10.85 and the
16–17 rate rose 6% to £8.00. No.10 and the Treasury are re-examining the plans
amid concern higher youth rates could discourage employers from hiring. Tackling
almost 1 million 16–24-year-olds who are not in work, training or education is a
government priority; officials are assessing whether youth wage rises harm
recruitment. Officials are also studying the Dutch multi-age-band model, under
which pay is €14.99 ($17.39)/hr for 21+ workers, €7.50 for 18-year-olds and
€4.50 for 15-year-olds.
