Jersey politicians to debate raising minimum wage

Politicians in Jersey will today debate whether to increase the minimum wage to £7.20.

It is in response to a question raised by Deputy Sam Mezec, who has called the current amount "a poverty wage".

The current minimum wage is £6.78, and is set rise to £6.97 in April.

But the government has rejected calls for an even bigger increase,which it says would go against normal procedure.

It said businesses need six months notice of an increase, but the proposals put forward would give under three months.

Deputy Sam Mezec said the current procedure means it will take decades for people to be able to live on the wage.

He said Jersey should follow the actions of the UK, which is set to raise its minimum wage to £7.20 on the 1st April.

It would mean Jersey would fall behind the UK for the first time.

Reform Jersey have said accepting the proposals would have widespread benefits to the island, including cutting the amount spent on income support.