The Low Pay Commission today dismissed reports that the minimum wage is set to go through the £4-an hour barrier next year as a pre-election sweetner. The claim had appeared in a daily newspaper.

Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Stephen Byers will announce new rules on how the Commission reviews wages this week. Among other factors, the rules are likely to take into account earinings growth, inflation and employment.

A number of guides to the National Minimum Wage can be found at www.dti.gov.uk.