This figure - suggested for all workers over 21 - is equal to an annual wage of £7,500, less than £140 a week.

The recommended £3.20 level for people aged 18 to 21 amounts to £6,000 a year.

A minimum wage is likely to do more to boost the pay of women as their average hourly wage is £7.88 - £1.86 an hour less than the male average.

People employed in low-paid jobs such as shop workers, hotel staff, security workers and care workers would also be among the main beneficiaries.

Unclear how many will benefit

As yet, there appear to be no firm calculations as to how many workers would be affected. There has been speculation that small firms with less than 20 employees could be exempt from the minimum wage.

But some trade unions are claiming that the £3.60 rate would benefit about 1.5m workers.

The Low Pay Unit estimates that 14% of the workforce will be affected if the level is set at that figure.