Rachel Reeves to delay youth minimum wage equal pay plan as unemployment hits 16.1%

Labour's Rachel Reeves plans to delay the equalization of the youth minimum wage, suggesting that the party's commitment to abolish age-based wage bands may not be fulfilled in the current parliamentary term. With unemployment rising to 16.1%, the Chancellor will inform the Low Pay Commission that a more flexible timetable is needed, even as the planned increase for workers aged 18 to 20 will still see their pay rise to £10.85 per hour in April.