LONDON, Jan. 23 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

The Low Pay Commission is holdingmeetings withindividuals and employers. We want to hear first-hand evidence about the impact of the National Minimum Wage. Your evidence will help shape our recommendations to the Government on the future of the minimum wage.

Low Pay Commissioners will be visiting the following locations in 2026:

Location Date

Bradford 18/19 March 2026

Aberdeen 15/16 April 2026

Blackpool 13/14 May 2026

Peterborough 10/11 June 2026

Wrexham 01/02 July 2026

Derry 29/30 July 2026

Who we are

TheLow Pay Commission, or LPC, is the independent body whichadvisesthe Government on the National Minimum Wage. Commissioners are drawn fromdifferent backgrounds,representingthe interests of workers,employersand independent experts.

What we do

We makerecommendations to the Governmenton the level of the minimum wage and on related issues which affect workers and employers.To do this, we draw on the latest data on the labour market and economy, and first-hand testimony from those directly affected by the minimum wage. We work through the year to gather evidence. Commissioners negotiate and agree recommendations in theautumn,andwe publishan annual reportsetting out our advice alongside the evidence and analysis we relied on.

What we want to talk about

We want to hear from you about:

* The economy and labour market in your area * The outlook for pay and employment in your business * How employers and workers are affected by the rising minimum wage * Yourviews on the future of the minimum wage

What we do with your evidence

Your evidence will helpshape Low Pay Commissioners' thinkingabout thenext steps for the National Minimum Wage, including when they negotiate and agree ratesin autumn 2026.All the evidence we hearand data we used are summarised in our annual report. Anything you tell us will be treated in confidence. All evidence will be anonymised asappropriate, and nothing attributed to you without yourpermission.

What is the current minimum wage?

Thetable belowsets out the current minimum wageratesas well as our most recent recommendations, which will comeinto effecton 1 April 2026.

Rate from 1 April 2025to 31 March 2026 Rate from 1 April 2026 Increase(per cent)

National Living Wage (21+) £12.21 £12.71 4.1

18-20 Year OldRate £10.00 £10.85 8.5

16-17 Year OldRate £7.55 £8.00 6.0

Apprentice Rate £7.55 £8.00 6.0

Accommodation Offset £10.66 £11.10 4.1

How to contact us

Ifyou'reinterested in takingpart, please emailJoseph.Wilkinson@lowpay.gov.ukorDuncan.Michie@lowpay.gov.ukor phone us on07720 166271.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.