Minimum wage youth rates: If you’re old enough to do the job, you’re old enough to get the rate for the job, says Usdaw

Retail trade union Usdaw will make the case for an end to youth rates for workers over 18 years old, when the union provides evidence to the Low Pay Commission (LPC) as they consider the new rates for 2027.

Ministers have asked the Commission to prioritise youth employment prospects when it recommends new minimum wage levels for next year. In its remit for the LPC, the Government said it “remains committed to removing discriminatory age bands for adults”.

Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says:

Removing discriminatory age bands in the minimum wage was a key manifesto commitment for the Government and something Usdaw has long campaigned for. The vast majority of employers who we negotiate with already pay staff the same rate regardless of age. They recognise that workers doing the same job deserve to be paid equally. This is about basic fairness. If you’re old enough to do the job, you’re old enough to get the rate for the job.

The Government has made important progress already in addressing the gap between young workers and their older colleagues. This must continue. We respect the role of the independent Low Pay Commission in reaching evidence-based recommendations on all minimum wage rates, and we will be making the case during the consultation for urgent progress towards equalisation of rates.

While we acknowledge concerns about youth employment levels, we do not believe that slowing down on this important part of the Plan to Make Work Pay would be effective in addressing the issue, particularly as the majority of young workers are already paid at or above the full adult rate.

We welcome the Government’s announcement on youth jobs grants and will continue to engage with them on positive measures to support young people to get into and remain in work. This must include a clear plan to revive the retail sector, with investment in skills and infrastructure to support our high streets.