My Hon Friend the Minister for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs (Jo Swinson) has made the following statement

I am pleased to announce that the Government has written to the Low Pay Commission setting out what we would like the Commission to consider on the National Minimum Wage. The document contains the Government’s interim evidence on economic and non-economic issues, including the minimum wage rates and the youth labour market. An updated version of the evidence will be published later when the latest information on earnings and economic forecasts will be included.

A copy of the evidence will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and will be available at www.gov.uk.