To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what percentage of 18 to 21 year olds in (a) full-time and (b) part-time employment are being paid the national minimum wage; and if he will make a statement. (254122)

According to the ONS April 2008 Annual survey of Hours and earnings: (a) around 2 per cent. of all full-time 18 to 21-year-olds earn £4.60 an hour (the 18 to 21-year-old national minimum wage in April 2008). (b) Around 4 per cent. of all part-time 18 to 21-year-olds earn £4.60 an hour in April 2008.

The percentages reported above do not include those in employment reported as earning less than the 18 to 21-year-old national minimum wage rate.