Britain’s Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage reacts during the Reform party’s annual conference at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.Nigel Farage has been lambasted online for claiming the minimum wage needs to come down for young people.
The Reform UK – who is the UK’s highest-earning MP – outlined his party’s economic vision for the UK during a press conference on Monday.
While also dropping his previous promises to introduce tax cuts, Farage said: “There’s an argument the minimum wage is too high for younger workers, particularly given that we’ve lowered the level at which NIC [national insurance contributions] is paid to £5,000 a year.
“So do one or the other, do one or the other – either lift the cap at which NI is due, or lower the minimum wage for younger workers.”
What is the minimum wage?
This is an hourly rate for workers which changes according to age and whether or not someone is undertaking an apprenticeship.
Individuals must be of school leaving age to get the national minimum wage, which is currently £10 an hour for those aged between 18 and 20.
For those who are under 18, or on an apprentice rate, the minimum is £7.55.
The national living wage applies for those aged 21 and over – that’s currently at £12.21.
Why did Farage’s comment cause backlash?
Farage was revealed to be the UK’s highest-earning sitting MP last August, having banked £1.2m from his job as presenter on GB News and social media payments.
He held onto that title in 2025, declaring more than £873,000 since the general election, according to the Good Law Project.
So these remarks sparked outrage online, with many also criticising Reform’s wider policies…
Cut benefits, cut minimum wage, raise retirement age, means test pensions, get rid of the NHS.
Why are you voting for Farage? pic.twitter.com/usvlBRwy5M
— BladeoftheSun (@BladeoftheS) November 3, 2025
Farage has registered a total of £280,500 for four hours a month as a brand ambassador for a company selling gold bars.
He thinks £10 an hour minimum wage for young people may need to be lowered.
Whose side do you think he is on?
— Damian Low (@DamianLow3) November 3, 2025
‘What on earth is he talking about?’
‘Who are the young people he’s talking to?’Nigel Farage thinks young people on minimum wage might be ‘paid too much’, but @BenKentish isn’t buying it. pic.twitter.com/us91YiuI3x
— LBC (@LBC) November 3, 2025
Man of the people Nigel Farage thinks minimum wage is too high. Yep, that’s definitely the problem. https://t.co/1alwVU86PR
— Jonathan Pie (@JonathanPieNews) November 3, 2025
Nigel Farage supports lowering the minimum wage, opposes taxes on the wealthy.
So whose side is he on? pic.twitter.com/XrvN1tXpqn
— Trades Union Congress (@The_TUC) November 3, 2025
Nigel Farage:
“Young people earning minimum wage should be paid less.”
“Young people earning £100k should be paid more”
If you think this man cares about working class young people, your brain is pudding. pic.twitter.com/mPVmmJ6xWA
— Femi (@F_Politics_) November 4, 2025
Protecting millionaires whilst cutting the minimum wage for young people. https://t.co/vSQ9PO55dbpic.twitter.com/J8AIsGphZz
— Simon Gosden. Esq. #fbpe 3.5% 🇪🇺🐟🇬🇧🏴☠️🦠💙 (@g_gosden) November 3, 2025
FINALLY! I always thought that the problem with the British economy was how much we pay young peoplehttps://t.co/YnEvTSBkap
— JimmyTheGiant (@jimthegiant) November 3, 2025
…unless it’s a young worker on minimum wage setting the alarm clock, because they’re overpaid. pic.twitter.com/8blAC98AUd
— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) November 3, 2025
