About us
The Low Pay Commission is an independent body that advises the government about the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage.
The Low Pay Commission works according to a remit set by the Government each year. You can view our most recent published remit (for 2022) here.
Our main business is to advise the Government on the levels of the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW). We make recommendations to the Government each autumn. New NMW rates come into force on the first of April each year.
You can view our most recent recommendations to the Government here.
Who we are
The Commission is made up of nine Low Pay Commissioners, drawn from a range of employee, employer and academic backgrounds. The current Commissioners are:
- Bryan Sanderson, Chair
- Louise Fisher
- Professor Jonathan Wadsworth
- Matthew Fell
- Dr Patricia Rice
- Martin McTague
- Kate Bell
- Simon Sapper
All the commissioners serve in an individual capacity. They are supported by a secretariat, which has eight members of staff and is based in London. Details of the names and job titles of secretariat staff members can be found in the organogram.
Activities
We are responsible for evaluating the effects of the NMW and NLW, and making recommendations on future rates. To carry out this functions, our work involves:
- carrying out extensive research and consultation with employers, workers and their representatives and taking written and oral evidence from a wide range of organisations.
- analysing relevant data to understand the state of the economy and labour market and the impact of the minimum wage.
- commissioning research projects into these questions.
Corporate information
Access our information
Jobs and contracts
Read about the types of information we routinely publish in our Publication scheme.