National Minimum Wage Increase Welcomed by Cahal Burke (Parliamentary Candidate for Colne Valley).
The Coalition Government has agreed to increases in the National Minimum Wage which are substantially above inflation and are the biggest rises since 2008.

– The adult rate has risen 20p to £6.70 an hour.
– The young persons rate has risen 17p to £5.30 an hour.
– The apprentice rate has risen 57p to £3.30 an hour.

The rises have been welcomed by Cahal Burke, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Colne Valley who said, “The National Minimum Wage is on course to go over £8 during the next Parliament. The latest rise show that more people are enjoying the benefits of the economic recovery.

“I am especially pleased that the amount apprentices receive is to rise by 57p to £3.30. In Government, Liberal Democrats have doubled to 2 million the number of young people who have taken on an apprenticeship. By raising the pay they get, we are making apprenticeships even more attractive.

“As the economy recovers from the chaos and mess left by Labour, we will need more trained people in the economy. Increasing the number of apprenticeships will help us address skill shortages”.

“If we are in Government in the next Parliament, Liberal Democrats will double yet again the number of apprenticeships to 4 million.”