National Living Wage and Youth Unemployment Online Roundtable – Friday 12th June

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce is hosting an online roundtable discussion to gather real-world insight from employers on the impact of the National Living Wage, with a particular focus on employing young people aged 21 and under.

With recent changes to minimum wage levels and a government consultation currently open, this session gives Kent and Medway businesses the opportunity to share honest, practical experiences and help ensure local employer voices are represented.

What the session will focus on

This is a listening and evidence-gathering session rather than a briefing or training event. The discussion will explore how recent wage changes are impacting businesses in practice, including:

• The impact of the April 2026 National Living Wage increase
• Knock on effects on costs, pricing, staffing levels and investment decisions
• Experiences of employing young people under 21
• Views on aligning youth wage rates with the National Living Wage
• Apprenticeship recruitment, costs and future intentions

Who should attend

The roundtable is open to businesses of all sizes and sectors, particularly those involved in setting pay, recruiting staff or planning their workforce, including:

• Business owners and directors
• HR leads and managers
• Operations and finance managers
• Anyone involved in hiring or pay decisions

You do not need data, formal submissions or policy expertise. Practical examples and lived experience are exactly what we are looking for.

Why attend

Insights gathered during the discussion will help inform the Chamber’s response to the national consultation, ensuring that the experiences of Kent and Medway employers, especially SMEs, are reflected at a national level.