Sarah has today welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement that the adult National Minimum Wage rate will rise from £5.52 to £5.73 from this October.   Nearly one million low paid employees, two thirds of them women, will benefit from the increase.

The rate for 18-21 year olds will also increase from £4.60 to £4.77, while the 16-17 year old rate will rise from £3.40 to £3.53.

Sarah said ”Ten years after the Minimum Wage Act was passed in 1998, Labour’s National Minimum Wage legislation has made a huge difference in making work pay and helping families out of poverty in Portsmouth and indeed across the whole country.  While the Tories opposed the minimum wage and still criticise it, the Labour Government is taking steps to strengthen it – ensuring that employees know their rights and employers know their responsibilities.”

The minimum wage was £3.60 an hour when it was first introduced.