'Significant increase' approved to minimum wage

Changes not bad for job creation - Skelly

There's been what's described as a 'significant increase' to the minimum wage for Isle of Man workers aged 21 and over will come into effect in the New Year.

That's after Tynwald endorsed plans for the minimum wage to rise by 35 pence - (5.3 per cent) - from £6.65 to £7 an hour from January the first.

James Davis reports:

Under the proposals, described by Chief Minister Allan Bell as a 'significant increase', the rate for 18 year-olds will also move from £6.40 to £6.65 an hour.

The minimum wage for 16 to 17 year-olds will increase to £5.40 an hour at the same time.

Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly told the court the hike would not jeopardise job creation and showed it's 'better off' to work.

During the debate, the Lord Bishop asked for the government to work up plans to introduce a Manx living wage.

The minimum wage in England rose by 20p to £6.70 last month.