Bank of England Official Links Rising Youth Unemployment to Minimum Wage Hikes
Catherine Mann says sharp minimum wage hikes have pushed youth unemployment to its highest since 2020. She notes this reflects pay policy over market trends.
Bank of England policymaker Catherine Mann stated on February 15, 2026, that sharp increases in the minimum wage for younger workers in Britain 
GB over the past three years have contributed to a rise in unemployment among 18-24 year olds. This assessment by Mann connects a policy-driven wage change to a measurable deterioration in the youth labour market and signals potential distributional effects of minimum-wage policy.
GB over the past three years have contributed to a rise in unemployment among 18-24 year olds. This assessment by Mann connects a policy-driven wage change to a measurable deterioration in the youth labour market and signals potential distributional effects of minimum-wage policy.
