Low Pay Commission Open Call for Research on the Impacts of the National Minimum Wage, including the National Living Wage

The Low Pay Commission (LPC) invites tenders from researchers with ideas for new or innovative research in relation to the National Living Wage (NLW) and the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

The aim of these studies is to gain a better understanding of the impact of minimum wages, especially the National Living Wage, and to help fill any gaps in our knowledge. These studies could examine areas that have not been considered in any great depth in the literature; address the 'unknown unknowns'; or enable an extension of previous work, whether that original research was funded by us or another organisation.

Up to three separate projects will be commissioned in this process.

The LPC has identified a few areas of research that might be particularly interesting. These include:

• The nature, extent and experiences of one-sided flexibility among workers;

• Further research of the impact of the NMW/NLW by protected characteristics to cover the most recent upratings;

• Exploration of spatial differences in the impact of the NMW/NLW;

• Exploring the impact of aligning the Apprentice Rate to the 16-17 Year Old Rate;

• Exploring the earnings outcomes for different types of apprenticeships several years after completion, particularly those that make use of the apprentice minimum wage during the apprenticeship;

• Comparisons of the impacts of large and small increases in the minimum wage;

• Investigating the relationship between the NLW and the 'gig economy'?; and

• the effects of wage compression at the economy-wide level and its possible effects on occupation choice and progression.

We welcome tenders that address any of these areas of research or indeed any other gaps in our knowledge.

As we noted above, we are looking to commission up to three research projects that will complement each other

The full requirement is set out in Schedule 07 of this Invitation to Tender (LPC2024/05). Further information can be found on our website https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/low-pay-commission-call-for-research-2025

You must submit your tender to tim.butcher@lowpay.gov.uk. It must arrive no later than 14:00 on 10 February 2025.