In a bold move that's set to spark political debate, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has floated the controversial idea of creating a lower minimum wage tier specifically for young people.
The proposal emerged during an extensive interview with Sky News, where Farage argued that such a measure could boost youth employment by making younger workers more attractive to employers.
Defending the minimum wage proposal
Farage defended his position by stating: "If you're a small business and you've got a young person who's never had a job before, they're not very productive in the first six months. If you have to pay them a full whack, it's a big disincentive to take them on."
The Reform UK leader suggested that a reduced rate could apply to workers under 21, though specific details about the proposed wage levels remain unclear.
Tax pledge U-turn explained
In the same interview, Farage addressed his party's significant shift on tax policy, acknowledging they had abandoned their flagship £90 billion tax cut promise. The original plan included raising the income tax threshold to £20,000.
Farage conceded: "We have had to scale back our promises. We are not going to be able to do everything that we wanted to do."
This policy adjustment comes as Reform UK faces scrutiny over their spending commitments and economic plans.
Political reactions and implications
The minimum wage proposal is likely to draw criticism from trade unions and opposition parties who argue that young workers deserve equal pay for equal work. However, Farage maintains that the measure could ultimately benefit young people by increasing their employment opportunities.
As the general election campaign intensifies, these policy positions place Reform UK firmly in the spotlight, distinguishing their economic approach from both Conservative and Labour platforms.
