Tender

Open Call for research relating to the National Minimum Wage including National Living Wage

LOW PAY COMMISSION

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

19 Dec 2025 at 19:18

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

19 Dec 2025 at 18:56

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Low Pay Commission (LPC), a public authority under the central government, is seeking innovative research proposals related to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW). Located in London, the LPC is in the tender update stage, inviting bids for research that would enhance understanding of the minimum wage's impacts, particularly post-2020 wage increases. The bidding process is open, with a below threshold open competition procurement method aiming to award up to three contracts. The tender, titled "Open Call for Research Relating to the National Minimum Wage including National Living Wage," falls within the research and development services category. Enquiries close on 12th January 2026, with the submission deadline on 2nd February 2026, and the contract set to commence on 2nd March 2026, lasting until 31st December 2026.

This tender provides a significant growth opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), as the project values range from £25,000 to £45,000. Candidates are encouraged to present proposals that leverage new data sources, especially post-pandemic, allowing for comprehensive research. Businesses engaged in research and consultancy services, especially those with expertise in labour market analysis or wage policy impacts, will find this opportunity particularly suitable. The evaluation will focus on a combination of commercial, quality, and price elements, with a strong emphasis on understanding requirements, methodology, approach, and delivery capability. Successful completion can bolster a firm’s portfolio and position it as an authority in economic and wage-related research, fostering long-term business growth and credibility.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Open Call for research relating to the National Minimum Wage including National Living Wage

Notice Description

The Low Pay Commission (LPC) invites tenders from researchers with ideas for new or innovative research in relation to the National Living Wage (NLW) and the National Minimum Wage (NMW). The Low Pay Commission is a non-departmental public body that advises the Government about the NMW, including the NLW and the minimum wage rates for young workers and apprentices. We are responsible for evaluating the effects of the NMW and NLW and making recommendations on future rates. To carry out these functions, our work involves: * carrying out extensive research and consultation with employers, workers and their representatives and taking written and oral evidence from a wide range of organisations; * analysing relevant data to understand the state of the economy and labour market and the impact of the minimum wage; * commissioning research projects into these questions. This research will fill gaps in our current understanding of the impacts of the minimum wage, particularly the increases in the minimum wage rates since 2020. It will complement the LPC's own analysis of pay, the labour market and the broader economy and sit alongside other pieces of commissioned research. We are aware that the pandemic and its aftermath have disrupted many of the usual data sources upon which we rely. However, there have also been recent developments in new data sources, and in data linking. We are therefore keen to consider tenders that can take advantage of these. A list of suggested topics for research is provided in Section A2 of the Invitation to Tender document. However, we recognise that there may be areas of investigation worth pursuing that we have not yet identified, or which have not previously been considered in great depth. Researchers who believe that they have a worthwhile proposal that would fall into these categories are welcome to submit it for consideration. We would also encourage proposals from those who wish to extend current research on the impact of the minimum wage, whether that original research was funded by us or another organisation. We will award up to three contracts under this Procurement. The maximum estimated value of any single contract is PS45,000 (exclusive of VAT). However, we welcome proposals for smaller projects and anticipate bids will typically be in the range PS25,000 to PS40,000. Bids will be assessed on value for money and so should be priced appropriately for the scale of the proposed project and the resources required to complete it.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fafd
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/085178-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£45,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£45,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
2 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Mar 2026 - 31 Dec 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LOW PAY COMMISSION
Contact Name
Tim Butcher
Contact Email
lpc@lowpay.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
E14 4PU
Post Town
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI42 Tower Hamlets
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Tower Hamlets
Electoral Ward
Canary Wharf
Westminster Constituency
Poplar and Limehouse

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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