UK National Minimum Wage

• The minimum wage was introduced in the UK in 1999 at £3.30.
• As of October 2007 the minimum wage for adult workers is £5.52. (It will rise to £5.73 by end of 2008)
• There is a development rate for workers 18-21 of £4.60
• For people under 18 (not of compulsory school age) the rate is £3.40
• Source: National Minimum wage HMRC

In this period 1999 – 2008, ILO  unemployment has fallen from 1,822,000  to 1.61 million or 5.25%. Claimant count method is even lower at less than 800,000
Readers Question and Essay:

• Why does a Minimum Wage not cause Unemployment? - Several reasons including monoposony, economic growth and increased productivity
• Case for Regional Minimum Wage