Increases to National Minimum Wages

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has announced the national minimum wage rates from 1 October 2011:

• the adult rate will increase by 15p to £6.08 an hour
• the rate for 18-20 year olds will increase by 6p to £4.98 an hour
• the rate for 16-17 year olds will increase by 4p to £3.68 an hour
• the rate for apprentices will increase by 10p to £2.60 an hour

Current national minimum wage rates which apply up until 30 September 2011 are:

• for workers aged 21 years or more: £5.93 per hour
• for workers aged 18 to 20 inclusive: £4.92 per hour
• for workers aged under 18 (but above compulsory school age): £3.64 per hour
• for apprentices aged under 19: £2.50 per hour
• for apprentices aged 19 and over, but in the first year of their apprenticeship: £2.50 per hour

Apprentices aged 19 or over who have completed at least one year of their apprenticeship are entitled to receive the full national minimum wage rate applicable to their age.