To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of people in the UK currently being paid the under-25 rate of the National Living Wage.

Through the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage, the Government ensures that the lowest paid in our society are fairly rewarded for their work. Workers are entitled to different rates depending on their age. For those under the age of 25, the rates are set as high as possible without damaging their employment prospects.

Workers aged 25 or over should be paid at least the National Living Wage (currently £7.83 an hour). Younger workers are entitled to one of the following National Minimum Wage rates: the 21-24 year old rate (currently £7.38 an hour), the 18-20 year old rate (£5.90) or the 16-17 year old rate (£4.20). Additionally, apprentices are entitled to the Apprentice rate (currently £3.70 an hour) either if they are aged under 19 or if they are aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship.

In April 2018, those entitled to the 21-24 age rate saw the fastest percentage increase since 2006. Similarly, those entitled to the 18-20 age rate saw the fastest increase since 2004. The 16-17 rate had the fastest increase since 2008.

The independent Low Pay Commission estimate there were 326,000 young workers paid the National Minimum Wage rates in April 2018. The Government will increase all of the minimum wage rates in April 2019, benefiting an estimated 417,000 young workers.