THE minimum wage should increase to £6.10 an hour next year and to £6.50 in 2010 and the age for being paid the statutory adult rate should be lowered, the TUC says.

In evidence to the Low Pay Commission (LPC), the TUC warned against being cautious about the next rise in the rate, currently £5.73 an hour for over 22-year-olds.

General secretary Brendan Barber said unlike higher paying sectors of the economy, the number of low-paid jobs in care, cleaning services and catering had increased.

"A low minimum wage would not only leave low paid workers - predominantly women - in poverty unnecessarily but would also leave them with less money to spend. This would leave consumer spending around £250 million below where it should be.

"Timing is also important. The LPC is currently considering the rate for the minimum wage to apply from 1 October 2009 and the Bank of England is predicting that the UK economy should be past the worst of the recession by next autumn.

"Setting a decent legal minimum for wages is a vital part of establishing a fairer system of work and fighting poverty in the UK. All the signs are that the UK economy can afford a £6.10 hourly wage."

The TUC also called for the adult rate to be paid from the age of 21 and eventually reduced to 18.