The UK national minimum wage (NMW) has increased for all workers under the age of 25.
For the 270,000 workers aged 21– 24 in the UK earning the NMW this means, that from 1 October, they have seen their hourly wage rise to £6.95 from £6.70, which for those working a typical 35 hour week will mean an annual pay rise of £450 a year.
For NMW workers under the age of 21, but older than 18, their rate has also increased by 25 pence, from £5.30 to £5.55 whilst apprentices have seen their pay go up by 10 pence to £3.40.
The youngest recipients of NMW, those aged 16-17, will have seen their wage rate increase from £3.87 to £4 per hour.
The wage rise follows the introduction of the national living wage (NLW) of £7.20 an hour for workers aged 25 and over from April 2016, which is set to further increase to £9.00 an hour by 2020.
Lara Murray, a workplace law expert with Palmers, said: “The government has become significantly stricter with employers in recent years and those that fail to meet the NMW are at risk of being fined and publically named and shamed by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
“Age is no longer a barrier to being paid the NMW and anyone who feels their employer is breaking the law by not paying the appropriate minimum wage, should seek legal advice.”
For more information on Palmers employment law services for individuals, please contact us.