The Low Pay Commission is facing new calls to extend the national minimum wage to 16 and 17-year-olds.

On Thursday the British Youth Council and the British Retail Consortium, along with the Children's Rights Alliance for England, the National Children's Bureau and the UK Youth Parliament, are meeting the LPC to press for the change.

A spokesman for the DTI told ePolitix.com: "We've asked the Low Pay Commission to look at the possibility of a minimum wage for 16 to 17-year-olds.

"Ministers are keen on the idea in principle but the impact on employment prospects and whether young people stay in full time education need to be looked at very carefully.

"The LPC, with its expert economists and range of employer and employee representatives are ideally placed to way up the issues and we look forward to their recommendations next spring."

Forum Response: British Youth Council

Richard Angell, vice chair (Finance) of the British Youth Council, told ePolitix.com: "There should be equity between young people and adults in society and this extends to young people being entitled to equal National Minimum Wage rights.

"A minimum wage would support young people in education and employment not distract them from their chosen path."

Forum Response: British Retail Consortium

Bill Moyes, director general of the BRC, said: "Retailers recognise the value that this age group can bring to their companies, from their willingness to work flexible hours to providing the desired image for their products.

"Although almost all BRC members pay either the development rate or the adult rate to 16-17 year olds, retailers still want them to be protected and are in favour of the principle of a NMW. However, it is the level of protection that they receive and the method for possible increases that will determine the support of the BRC for such an initiative."

Forum Response: Usdaw

John Hannett, deputy general secretary, said: "This is exploitation of a vulnerable age group. There is clear evidence that too many employers seize on the absence of legal protection for young people's wages and pay them appalling rates.

"We must protect our 16 and 17-year-old workers. Our evidence is shocking. It reveals poverty pay, often accompanied by poor working conditions and little training."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

A spokesman for the IoD told ePolitix.com: "A minimum wage for 16 and 17 year-olds is of course a good thing.

"However, we would caution against setting the rate too high as it will almost certainly result in employers deciding to recruit fewer young people.

"The crucial thing is for school leavers to enter the job market and gain skills. We would not want to see their employment prospects damaged by an artificially high minimum wage rate."