National Minimum Wage - Increases for Certain Groups

The following rates will apply from 1 October 2016:

• for workers aged 21 years or over (but not yet aged 25 years) - rise by 3.7% to £6.95 an hour
   
• for workers aged 18 or over (but not yet aged 21 years) - rise by 4.7% to £5.55 an hour
   
• for workers aged under 18 years (but above compulsory school age) - rise by 3.4% to £4.00 an hour
   
• for apprentices - rise by 3% to £3.40 an hour

The government has accepted and implemented the Low Pay Commission's recommendations in this regard.

From 1 April 2016, the new National Living Wage rate of £7.20 per hour will also come in to effect for workers aged 25 and over. This National Living Wage rate will not change on 1 October 2016 and all National Minimum Wage rates including the National Living Wage will be updated simultaneously from April 2017.

For more information, please contact Helen Hughes in our Employment Law team on 020 7665 0816.