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The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is warning the Low Pay Commission not to freeze the national minimum wage at today's meeting to set the new level.

According to the group, the commission needs to ignore calls from firms for the wage to be kept at its current level, as this would have a negative impact on low-paid workers.

The organisation points out that inflation is expected to rise during 2010, which will further lower the living standards of those on low pay if the minimum wage is frozen.

Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, says: 'It is not surprising that business organisations are saying an increase in the minimum wage will threaten jobs and that it should be frozen during the recession.'

However, he adds that firms also claimed jobs would be destroyed by the introduction of the minimum wage ten years ago, which was not the case, and recommends the Low Pay Commission makes the highest increase which can be sustained.

Earlier this week, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform announced that from October employers will not be allowed to use tips to take their workers' pay up to the national minimum wage.

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