States backs a minimum wage and wants it for all age groups

Saturday 29th May 2010, 2:29PM BST.

Matt Fallaize THE States yesterday approved a £6 minimum wage for adults and directed Commerce and Employment to equalise the rate for young people as soon as possible.

Deputy Matt Fallaize (pictured) placed an amendment to Commerce and Employment’s proposal – to set a young person’s rate at £4.25 – which succeeded by 25 votes to 19.

But the amendment’s second proposition, to link the minimum wage to average earnings from 2013, was declared lost.

Speaking afterwards, he said he was happy with the result.

‘I got more support than I anticipated. Going into debate I thought I would struggle to get either part through, but there was good support for the first part.’