MSE News: Minimum wage rise takes effect

Former_MSE_Helen · 1 October 2013 at 11:41AM

"The national minimum wage increases today, but workers will lose out in real terms..."

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Minimum wage rise takes effect

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scooby088 · 1 October 2013 at 12:20PM

NMW isn't a living wage, but is better than claiming JSA. And I guess most will lose out as everything else goes up so no real benefit to anyone.

RAS · 1 October 2013 at 1:11PM

A lot of people on the NMW will see no actual increase in household income as they already claim CTB, CTC, WTC or LHA/HB which will be reduced by the same amount.

However, I would rather see employers pay the money than rely on state benefits to support their employees.

rogerblack · 1 October 2013 at 3:59PM

If you are claiming carers allowance - beware!
The new NMW, at 16 hours will break the 100 pound a week limit for CA.
There are some deductions you can make from the wage, and still qualify.
http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/carersbenefits/Pages/CarersAllowance.aspx

any payments you make to someone (other than a close relative) to look after the severely disabled person you normally care for while you're at work – up to half your net earnings can be ignored this way

any payments you make to someone (other than a close relative) to look after your child (or children) under 16 while you're at work – up to half your net earnings can be ignored this way

the first £20 of any income for renting out rooms in your own home

foster care allowance from a local authority

Note also that this is after half any private pension contributions, tax and NI.

Clowance · 3 October 2013 at 7:16AM

what about the new apprentices on £99 per week for full time? Many employers seem to be using them as cheap labour - do you really need an apprenticeship for a job that you could learn in a week?

minislim · 3 October 2013 at 9:08AM

the government was going on about 17 to 25 year olds that are not in education or employment and how they could get them into work.

think they've missed a trick here.

why didnt they just make minimum wage one figure for all?

BurnleyBob · 3 October 2013 at 11:16AM

Clowance wrote: »

what about the new apprentices on £99 per week for full time? Many employers seem to be using them as cheap labour - do you really need an apprenticeship for a job that you could learn in a week?

Yes, providing the state want to continue to allow employers to exploit their labour at a rate well below the legal minimum wage which helps to further drive down wages across the board that results in less income for the great majority and more for the few.

Takeaway_Addict · 3 October 2013 at 12:50PM

minislim wrote: »

the government was going on about 17 to 25 year olds that are not in education or employment and how they could get them into work.

think they've missed a trick here.

why didnt they just make minimum wage one figure for all?

BEcause that would make it even harder for 21 years and below to get a job because if you have to pay the same you would choose someone with experience over someone without any. Hence the difference now

boatman · 3 October 2013 at 3:54PM

£99 a week for an Apprentice, and pay stuff all tax, no wonder so many companies love Britain, just a shame they dont look further ahead once all those companies move on to the next tax haven, there'll be no tax money in the pot to pay for anything, the infrastructure will be falling apart. There will be a few directors at the top with all the money living in another tax haven.

thevilraggydoll · 4 October 2013 at 10:27AM

Those who have been in roles for a long time but are on a low salaries (e.g. retail managers) may want to look at how the past few minimum wage rises has affected the pay gap between them and their staff.

A friend did so as her salary had not changed since she got the job but her staff had had increases with each minimum wage rise. There was only a few pence on a per hour basis between her and her staff. She wrote to her company and they have increased her salary a little to compensate. Worth asking.

50Twuncle · 5 November 2013 at 11:40AM

What about those earning just above minimum wage - is the wage differential going to increase - or will we be the new underclass - stuck on (just above) minimum wage ?

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MSE News: Minimum wage rise takes effect

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