Three million teenagers at risk of being paid slave wages warns BYC. The British Youth Council (BYC) has called on chancellor Gordon Brown to introduce a fair and decent minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds in next week's budget.

Forum Response: British Youth Council

Richard Angell BYC spokesperson,  said: "Young people make a major contribution to the country's economy but if you're under 18, you have no right to a national minimum wage. What we're calling for is equal pay for equal work, a fair and decent minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds and recognition that workers under 16 also need protecting".

Forum Response: British Retail Consortium

A spokesperson for the British Retail Consortium told ePolitix.com: "In principle, we are not opposed to the introduction of a national minimum wage for 16-17 year olds, and have recommended a level of £3.10 to the Low Pay Commission, which both ourselves and USDAW believe is sensible. 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. However, if a minimum wage were introduced for 16-17 year olds, our decision whether or not to support the proposal would rest not only with it being set at a sensible level, but also what the Commission set as the mechanism and rates for future increases."

Forum Response: National Youth Agency

Stephen Dain, spokesperson for the National Youth Agency told ePolitix.com:"The NYA fully supports the BYC's call for a fair and decent minimum wage for 16 and 17 year-olds. Young people in this age range often fill similar roles to those above the age of 18 but, while the older group are protected by legislation and a national minimum wage, the arguably more vulnerable 16 and 17 year-olds do not. The NYA is also concerned that the lack of a minimum wage, and hence the low remuneration, may force young people in this age group to work longer hours at a time in their lives when their personal and social development should be paramount."