LOW WAGES

POVERTY-pay campaigners hailed a review of the minimum wage aimed at ending the low-pay epidemic.

Expert Prof Arin Dube will lead an inquiry announced by the Chancellor.

Stephen Clarke, senior economic analyst of the Resolution Foundation think-tank, called it “a welcome first step to meeting the Chancellor’s ambition of ending low pay altogether”.

The Association of Accounting Technicians said Mr Hammond “has recognised the importance of higher pay and the impact on productivity, which we’ve highlighted for the past couple of years”.

Head of public affairs Phil Hall added: “Some 70% of AAT members say the Government should scrap the existing minimum wage structure and replace it with Living Wage Foundation levels.”

The current hourly Living Wage rate is £9 outside London, compared with a £7.83 minimum wage for those over 25.