The Low Pay Commission After Eight Years

Abstract

The Low Pay Commission is the institution created in 1997 to introduce Britain’s first National Minimum Wage. The paper places the Commission in historical perspective and provides a summary assessment of the initial impact of the Minimum Wage. It describes and analyses the development of the Commission and its concerns, conduct and advice. Central to its performance has been its independent, ‘social partnership’ constitution. The conclusion emphasises the centrality of the Commission’s use of widespread consultation and academic research, and the unique asset of firm enforcement of the National Minimum Wage by HM Revenue and Customs.