John Mann MP - | Do you think the minimum wage is high enough for young people?

Do you think that the minimum wage is high enough for young people?

Before the minimum wage, many peopled earned as little as £1.20 an hour - about £1.38 in today's money.

The minimum wage was first introduced by the Government in April 1999, with a higher rate for people aged 22 and older and a lower rate for 18 to 21 year olds. In 2004 a thrid rate for 16 and 17 year olds was introduced, and in 2008 the higher rate was made to apply to 21 years and older.

The minimum wage has increased year on year since it started. A table of the rates is below:

Adult Rate (for workers aged 22+)		Development Rate (for workers aged 18-21)		16-17 Year Olds Rate*
1 Apr 1999	£3.60	1 Apr 1999	£3.00	-	-
1 Oct 2000	£3.70	1 Oct 2000	£3.20	-	-
1 Oct 2001	£4.10	1 Oct 2001	£3.50	-	-
1 Oct 2002	£4.20	1 Oct 2002	£3.60	-	-
1 Oct 2003	£4.50	1 Oct 2003	£3.80	-	-
1 Oct 2004	£4.85	1 Oct 2004	£4.10	1 Oct 2004	£3.00
1 Oct 2005	£5.05	1 Oct 2005	£4.25	1 Oct 2005	£3.00
1 Oct 2006	£5.35	1 Oct 2006	£4.45	1 Oct 2006	£3.30
1 Oct 2007	£5.52	1 Oct 2007	£4.60	1 Oct 2007	£3.40
1 Oct 2008	£5.73	1 Oct 2008	£4.77	1 Oct 2008	£3.53

Source: http://www.lowpay.gov.uk/

Is it fair that there are different rates? Would young people get their jobs if employers had to pay the higher rate? Let me know what you think by leaving your comments below.