The Low Pay Commission (LPC) has published a consultation seeking views from interested parties on its remit with regard to recommending the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates that should apply from October 2015.
The LPC’s remit from the Government includes considering whether, as was concluded in its 2014 report, we are entering a new phase in which real increases in the NMW can be afforded. Specifically, the LPC is requested to:
monitor, evaluate and review the levels of each of the different NMW rates and make recommendations on the levels it believes should apply from October 2015;
consider whether:-
any changes can be made to the apprentice rate to make the structure simpler and improve compliance; and
the structure and level of the apprentice rate should continue to be applied to all levels of apprenticeship, including higher levels; and
review the conditions that need to be in place to allow the value of the minimum wage to increase in real terms. This would include an update on the LPC’s advice on the future path of the NMW.
In making recommendations in the areas set out above, the LPC is asked to take account of the state of the economy, employment and unemployment levels, and relevant policy changes.
If you would like to respond to the questions asked in the consultation document, this can be found here. The consultation runs until 26 September 2014.