Britain's first ever national minimum wage (NMW) came into force in April 1999 covering some 5% of workers. Between 1999 and 2002 the NMW rose in line with the growth in average earnings. But for 2003-6 the NMW will be ratcheted up relative to median pay. The evidence shows that between 1998 and...

Great Britain has had statutory regulation of minimum pay for most of this century but never previously had a national minimum wage (NMW). This paper outlines the history of minimum wage regulation culminating in 1997 with the establishment of the Low Pay Commission (LPC). The three key debates...