The National Minimum Wage (NMW) has risen from £5.80 an
hour to £5.93, and will now also apply to employees aged 21, whereas previously it
had only applied to employees aged 22 and above.
Younger workers will also see corresponding increases, with 16
and 17-year-olds now being entitled to £3.64 an hour rather
than £3.57.
The new rules also state that 18 to 20-year-olds will now be
entitled to £4.92 an hour, a rise of 9p over the old rate of
£4.83.
For the first time, the Government has introduced a minimum wage
for apprentices as well, with those under 19 years old being
entitled to £2.50 an hour.
Responding to the increases, the British Retail Consortium (BRC)
sounded a note of caution, warning that further rises in the future
could damage job creation prospects. It stated that the rate of
increase next year must not exceed 1.7%, as any higher rate would
seriously affect the ability of retailers to maintain existing jobs
and create new positions.
