Increasing minimum wage rates 'would boost public finances by £5.6bn a year'
Increasing minimum wage in hospitality and retail sectors could boost public finances
Research for Unite showed that 5.2 million women would benefit from higher wages, especially those in the hospitality and retail sectors.
Labour is committed to raising the minimum wage to £10 an hour for over-18s by 2020.
Unite said an "intermediate" rise to £9 an hour for older workers, £8.70 for 21 to 24-year-olds and £8 for 18 to 20-year-olds would benefit around 6.2 million workers.
Increased tax receipts, national insurance contributions and reduced spending on in-work benefits from higher wages would add £5.6 billion to the public finances every year, the research found.