Tories call for five-year minimum wage freeze

Summary

A report from the Prosperity Institute thinktank calls for the government to freeze the minimum wage for five years, a proposal endorsed by shadow business minister Andrew Sharpe as a way to address low youth employment. The Guardian reports that the move could cost low-paid workers almost £9,000 over five years, while Labour called the idea tin-eared.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   16 Oct 2026, 06:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that a Prosperity Institute report, endorsed by shadow business minister Andrew Sharpe, calls for a five-year minimum wage freeze and says it could cost low-paid workers almost £9,000; Labour called the proposal tin-eared.