Ms Claire Pyke:

Deputy O'Reilly has made some very good points. To go back to the regime before this, because these rates are relatively new, it sought to recognise experience rather than age. It was not found to be workable for employers or employees. We can say these ages are arbitrary. I know Deputy O'Reilly gave extreme examples but we have to have an arbitrary age. The previous experience-based system was not seen as workable, which is why we brought in these age-based rates.

We speak to employers and the evidence is anecdotal. I am not aware of academic evidence but there is anecdotal evidence of experience in the first job. It is a valid point. We have heard from employers about the value of people coming with skills in customer relations and other areas. I agree with Deputy O'Reilly that it is arbitrary to go between age and experience but this is what was seen to be workable here.