Social exclusion will increase if the Government denies young people a minimum wage, the National Youth Agency said this week. Tom Wylie, the agency’s chief executive, met members of the Low Pay Commission to urge the Government not to exclude young people if a minimum wage is re-introduced.
“Living costs are no cheaper simply because of your age,” he said. “Denying a minimum wage to young workers can only perpetuate hardship and cause stress within families as young people are forced into longer periods of dependence. Ultimately, it will only reinforce feelings of social exclusion that the Government is trying so hard to counter in other areas.”