Government reforms (2): National minimum wage

The following National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates come into effect on 1 October 2016:

• 25 years and above: the new national living wage for workers aged 25 and over came into force at a rate of £7.20 an hour on 1 April 2016. This rate will not change on 1 October;
• 21-24 year olds: increase from £6.70 to £6.95 an hour;
• 18-20 year olds: increase from £5.30 to £5.55 an hour;
• 16-17 year olds: increase from £3.79 to £4.00 an hour; and
• Apprentice rate: increase from £3.30 to £3.40 an hour.

It has also been confirmed that all national minimum wage rates including the national living wage will be uprated in parallel from April 2017.