New National Minimum Wage Rates

National Minimum Wage rates will rise from 1 October 2010.Under the new rates, the adult minimum wage rate will now apply to21 year olds (the previous qualifying age was22).

The rates will increase as follows:

- £5.93 an hour for workers aged 21 andover
- £4.92 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20
- £3.64 an hour for those older than school-leaving age andyounger than 18 (someone is under school-leaving age until the endof the summer term of the school year in which they turn16).

For the first time, a minimum wage for apprentices has beenfixed at £2.50 an hour. This new rate will apply to all apprenticesunder 19 or those aged 19 and over but in the first year of theirapprenticeship.

This article is for general guidance only. It provides useful information in a concise form. Action should not be taken without obtaining specific legal advice.