The Wages Act 1986: Some Reflections with Particular Reference to the Licensed Residential Establishment and Licensed Restaurant Wages Council

The Wages Act 1986 (the Act) has been the object of scant academic analysis since its implementation some three years ago and now merits a closer examination of its past and future role. This article examines the first 75 years of legal minimum wages in Britain; systematically analyses the Act and its implications from two perspectives - the wording of the legislation itself and in the context of developments that have occurred in the licensed hotel and restaurant sector of the catering industry since 1986 - and concludes having identified four key themes with public policy significance that merit further research.