National Minimum Wage

That this House notes that the Low Pay Commission (LPC) will shortly be making its recommendations to Government for the April 2021 increase in the National Minimum Wage; further notes that the LPC consulted on a 49p rise to £9.21 per hour in April 2021; is concerned by reports that this proposed increase may now be significantly reduced or minimum wage rates frozen; notes estimates that suggest 21 per cent of UK workers are paid less than the real living wage, as set by the Living Wage Foundation; believes that increasing wages for low paid workers is an essential part of reducing poverty and increasing economic demand; and therefore calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to authorise a significant increase in the minimum wage preferably to at least £10 per hour for all workers.