Page "Minimum wage" Paragraph 64

Since the introduction of a national minimum wage in the UK in 1999, its effects on employment were subject to extensive research and observation by the Low Pay Commission.

The Low Pay Commission found that, rather than make employees redundant, employers have reduced their rate of hiring, reduced staff hours, increased prices, and have found ways to cause current workers to be more productive ( especially service companies ).

Neither trade unions nor employer organizations contest the minimum wage, although the latter had especially done so heavily until 1999.