THE TUC called for the “unfair” and “obsolete” youth minimum wage to be abolished ahead of Tuesday’s Spring Statement.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak slammed “doomsday scaremongering” claims that abolishing the rate would make it too expensive to hire young staff.

Labour’s manifesto promised to remove age bands for the minimum hourly wage — currently £10 for 18 to 20-year-olds and £12.21 for workers aged 21 and over.

“Youth unemployment is a serious issue that deserves real solutions, like stronger employment rights, an ambitious jobs guarantee and quality apprenticeships — not doomsday scaremongering and misleading claims about the minimum wage,” he said.

“The government promised to deliver change. 

“Rowing back in the face of unsubstantiated business lobbying — at real cost to young people’s living standards — would be exactly the wrong approach.”

New analysis by the union federation shows only one in seven 18 to 20-year-olds receive the minimum rate. 

Unions also finds many businesses report that they don’t want to deal with this unfairness nor the administrative burdens of changing workers’ pay when they turn 21, said the TUC.

“Young people pay the same bills as everyone else and deserve a fair wage for their work,” said Mr Nowak.

“Youth rates are not only unfair, but they’re also increasingly obsolete as most businesses hardly use them.

“The  Low Pay Commission are the trusted experts and should be trusted to finish the job, setting out a plan to abolish the minimum wage youth rates this Parliament.”

A government spokeswoman said: “We’re determined to help young people into work and deliver on our manifesto commitments to make work pay. We remain committed to closing the gap between the adult and youth national minimum wage.”