02 June 2016
The latest annual consultation on the minimum wage has been released by the Employment Forum.
The Forum is inviting comments on what rates the minimum wage and trainee rates should be set at from 1 April 2017.
The Forum would be particularly interested to hear the views of employers who pay the minimum wage and people who earn the minimum wage.
Current minimum wage
The minimum wage is currently £6.97 per hour and it applies to all employees over age 16.
The Forum has been asked this year to consult on the implications of increasing the minimum wage more significantly and more quickly going forward.
This was prompted by the decision in the UK to introduce a premium rate of £7.20 per hour for over 25s from April 2016.
Vital to tell us about impacts
Helen Ruelle, Chair of the Employment Forum, said: “Each year we consult on the matters that the minister for Social Security has asked us to look at and we invite stakeholders to tell us their views, both in writing and in person. It is vital that people who are affected by minimum wage increases tell us how this impacts on them.
When the consultation has ended, we will consider all of the responses, the economic advice and the relevant statistics, in particular the latest increases in average earnings and prices.
We then discuss the evidence as a group and we try to reach a unanimous recommendation to present to the minister.”
Presenting recommendations in September
The Forum will consult over the next eight weeks and will present its recommendation to the minister in September.
The minister will then consider the recommendation and will propose any necessary law changes later this year.
How to complete the survey
The survey is available to complete online, by emailing the Employment Forum or by phoning +44 (0) 1534 447203.
You can also ask for a meeting with the Forum, but comments must be submitted by 27 July 2016.
Minimum wage consultation 2016
Email Employment Forum
gov.je