Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis said: “This report makes it clear that giving low paid workers a proper pay rise is important for individuals and makes a real difference to the economy as a whole. Opponents of a minimum wage have often argued that paying a statutory minimum is unachievable for businesses and would lead to job losses, but this report shows the opposite is true and we have not seen the level of job losses that are inevitably predicted during discussions around raising minimum wage rates.

“Usdaw’s Time for Better Pay campaign is calling on the Government to raise the National Living Wage to £10 per hour for all workers, regardless of age. Young workers, under the age of 25 are excluded from the National Living Wage and many find themselves saddled by the impact of chronic low pay as a result.

“This report from the Resolution Foundation highlights that taking steps towards fair pay for all workers is having a positive effect on the country’s economy and we urge the Government to continue this trajectory – it’s Time for Better Pay!”

Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 420,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion