Chancellor fails to guarantee minimum wage pledge for younger workers

Chancellor John Healey has failed to guarantee the manifesto pledge to equalise minimum wage rates for younger workers before the next election. While Healey stated the government remains committed to the increase, he did not specify a timeframe for achievement. The recent budget provided raises for adults and under 20s but lacked the larger increase required for equalisation. Consequently, unions have criticised the delay, warning against pursuing trade-offs between employment levels and wage growth.