The TUC has called for a big rise in the minimum wage.

Unions are backing a 20 per cent rise in the minimum wage, which is currently set to increase by 10 pence this October to £4.20. The TUC wants all workers aged 18 and over to be paid at least £5 an hour.

Forum Response: Usdaw

A spokesman for Usdaw told ePolitix.com: "We are very supportive of the TUC's call for all workers aged 18 and over to be paid at least £5 per hour.

"We are also in favour of the 18 - 22 minimum wage to be scraped, everyone aged 18 or over should get an adult rate of pay."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Ruth Lea, head of the policy unit at the IoD, told ePolitix.com: "We have said so many times in the past that the more you raise costs, the more you discourage business from taking people on. So far the effect of the minimum wage has been disguised, but if there is a downturn in the economy it will have a big impact."

Forum Response: GMB

A spokeswoman for the GMB told ePolitix.com: "GMB believes the minimum wage should rise to £5 an hour, and we are actively pursuing £5 an hour as an absolute minimum in all our collective agreements.

"We also believe that the lower national minimum wage for young workers is unjust - the main minimum wage should apply to all workers regardless of age. There is a need for a regular annual timetable for the uprating process and we believe that enforcement agencies should have powers to act against detriment and dismissal suffered by workers seeking to enforce their right to the minimum wage."