Equal pay for equal work!

BYC actively campaigns for an equal national minimum wage for everyone aged over 16.

BYC believes that the current three level system discriminates against young people. It implies young people deserve lower rates of pay regardless of their skills or experience in the job.

We should be paid for the work we do, not because of our age when we do it.

The National Minimum Wage sets out the minimum hourly pay that employers can offer across the UK. The rates set are based on the recommendations of the independent Low Pay Commission. BYC will continue to lobby the Government and the Low Pay Commission until there is a fair equal National Minimum Wage for everyone over 16.

The current Minimum Wage are:

• adult rate for those aged 22 and over: £5.73 per hour
• the youth development rate for workers aged 18-21: £4.77 per hour
• young people (those older than school leaving age and younger than 18; you're under school leaving age until the end of summer term of the school year in which you turn 16): £3.53 per hour

You can check if your employer is paying you enough by calculating your minimum wage pay rate on the DirectGov website. 

I have worked in a supermarket for just less than 5 years. My pay did increase when I hit 18 but not to the same level as older people I worked with, even though I was as well trained and did the same job. This just seems unfair, just because we were different ages why should the pay be different, as an 18 year old or even a 16 year old, we can be faced with the same costs and bills as a 21 year old, such as a car, or house, or even kids.

Get Active!

Tell us what you think

Work and your wAGE

Take part in this survey to express your feelings about how much you get paid and the Minimum Wage. Does your wage work for you as a young person? Or do you feel that your life is all work and low pay? This survey will feed into this campaign.

If you feel strongly about this issue and would like to get involved why not look at the volunteering options BYC offers. We have different ways for you to get active according to how much time you have and how you want to spread the word.

For more information on BYC's Equal National Minimum Wage Campaign drop us an email.