Minimum wage should be increased, says Minister Ged Nash

Ged Nash, the business and employment minister, has given his support to increase the minimum wage ahead of a decision next year by a new commission.

The junior Labour minister said yesterday that there was a certain “inevitability” about the matter of wage increases being a focus for workers next year.

Calling for applications for a new nine-member commission to examine wage levels, Mr Nash said it would report back to the Government at the latest by next summer. “I want to see the rate of the national minimum wage increased over the next period of time, but increased only where circumstances allow,” he said.