# Laura Kuenssberg: Healey risks breaking minimum wage promise for younger workers

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/laura-kuenssberg-healey-risks-breaking-minimum-wage-promise-for-younger-workers/
- Published: 2026-11-01T11:05:40+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T10:57:24+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Politics (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv369266644lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Business, Economy, Elections, Entertainment, Government, Music, Politics

## Key points

- Healey leaves timing of minimum wage equalisation uncertain.
- 2026 rates are £11.27 for 18 to 20-year-olds and £13.21 for over-20s.
- He says the government will weigh wages against job prospects.

## Summary

Chancellor John Healey has indicated that Labour may not equalise minimum wage rates for younger and older workers before the next election, despite its 2024 manifesto pledge to end age-based pay bands. He said the government would proceed “one step at a time” and would weigh the effects on jobs and wages, a shift likely to concern unions and some Labour supporters.

From 2026, the minimum wage for 18 to 20-year-olds is due to rise to £11.27 an hour, compared with £13.21 for workers over 20. Healey said Labour remains committed to equal pay but left the timing open, citing the aim of encouraging businesses to hire younger people and the need to help a million young people currently out of work. He also said planned reductions in some departments’ budgets would be carried into a 10-year plan and next year’s spending review; Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for welfare to bear most of any cuts.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.