On 6 June 2016, the House of Commons library published a "debate pack" on the interaction between the bands of National Minimum Wage and age discrimination. This is intended mostly for MPs in a forthcoming parliamentary debate. The debate, and the wish to reconnect with the rationale behind the minimum wage banding has stemmed from a recent change to introduce a National Living Wage and to change the 21- 24-year-old age band. The primary concerns are that over 25s may be less attractive to employers than younger, cheaper workers. Also, workers aged 21 to 24 are now in a new age band with the adult rate only affecting them.
National Minimum Wage is one circumstance where legislation permits distinguishing on grounds of age. Parliamentary debates are therefore perhaps significant in safeguarding against detrimental changes which could have wide-ranging impact. It seems likely there will be a re-analysis of the rationale behind the current need for a National Minimum Wage (or National Living Wage) that distinguishes on grounds of age.
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