Clause 3 — Abolition of starting and savings rates and creation of starting rate for savings

Part of Orders of the Day – in the House of Commons at 9:15 pm on 28 April 2008.

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Photo of Frank Field Frank Field Labour, Birkenhead 9:15, 28 April 2008

If only hon. Members would let me conclude, Sir Alan, I could answer all these questions.

The fourth part—not necessarily a central part—of the package is that the Government will look further into the minimum wage. That does not necessarily mean, as many people have interpreted it, changing the rates. Mr. Taylor talked about imposing costs on employers, but I suspect that all hon. Members who are avid readers of the reports from the minimum wage commission will know that a number of recommendations were made, including lowering the age at which the adult rate should start. Recommendations have already been made, which the Government have not accepted in the past, so it is not true to say that somehow the Government are going to go in with their boots to the minimum wage commission and make it set rates or change its attitudes. The Government may be just a little humble, read the reports and act on them.