Shadow Business Minister Supports Five-Year Freeze of the Minimum Wage

The Prosperity Institute released a report arguing that the National Living Wage is rising faster than typical private-sector pay, leading to wage compression that harms motivation and career progression. In response, Lord Sharpe of Epsom, the Conservative shadow minister for business and trade, said the findings are timely and urged the government to fully implement the report’s recommendations, notably a five-year freeze of the minimum wage.

He noted that almost one million young people are currently outside education, employment, or training, making the issue urgent. The stance aligns with previous attacks on the minimum wage by former work secretary Badenoch, although the party has not yet formalised a policy. The article also includes a separate comment from former Labour leader Neil Kinnock on a different political figure’s EU stance.