Minimum wage inequality

I believe in equal pay for all, regardless of age. Labour (and the Conservatives before them) clearly do not. During the 2024 General Election for Westminster, Labour promised to abolish age-based bands for the minimum wage.

That went out the window this week as they confirmed that the national minimum wage bandings are still in place for the next financial year from 1st April 2026:

• If you're over 21 years old, the minimum wage is set to be £12.71.

• For 18-20s it will be £10.85, that's £1.86 less than your colleagues that are over 21.

• Even worse if you're aged 16-17 or an apprentice where you'll get £8 per hour - £4.71 less!

So if you extrapolate that into daily, weekly and yearly earnings, that is a huge discrepancy:

• for a 7.5 hour day that equates to £13.95 less for 18-20s and £35.33 less for 16-17 year olds

• for a 37.5 hour week 18-20s get £69.75 less and 16-17s get £176.63 less

• over a month 18-20s will receive £279 less and 16-17 year olds £706.50 less

• and for a year's work it mounts up to £3,348 less for 18-20s and £8,478 less for 16-17 year olds.

In what world is this fair if you and a colleague are doing the same job? It simply isn't. There is an assumption that under 21s have less financial liabilities than those that are older but this is not universal. Young people still need to contribute towards household expenses, keep a roof over their heads and put food on the table like everyone else.

Please remember this when you vote on 7th May in the Holyrood parliamentary election.

I am committed to fighting for equal pay for equal work, regardless of age. If you're doing the same job, you deserve equal pay.

The minimum wage is set by Westminster - as a small independent country we would have full fiscal control over this. The SNP are committed to working in the best interests of the young people of Scotland.