Minimum wage is UK’s ‘most successful economic policy in a generation’

Resolution Foundation study suggests lowest earners are 6,000 a year better off due to policy

The minimum wage has driven up the pay of millions of Britain's lowest earners by 6,000 a year, making it the single most successful economic policy in a generation, according to a leading thinktank.

Since its introduction in 1999 by Tony Blair's first Labour administration the policy has secured cross-party agreement, and should be seen as the basis for further improvements in the welfare of low wage workers, the Resolution Foundation said.