A reminder that the National Minimum Wage increases will take effect on 1 October 2016. The following hourly rates of national minimum wage will apply from that date:-

1. The rate for workers aged 21 to 24 will rise by 3.7% from £6.70 to £6.95.

2. The rate for workers aged 18 to 20 will rise by 4.7% from £5.30 to £5.55.

3. The young workers rate (non-apprentices aged 16 and 17 will rise by 3.4% from £3.87 to £4.00.

4. The apprenticeship rate will rise by 3% from £3.30 to £3.40.

From 1 April 2016, the new National Living Wage for workers aged 25 and over came into force at a rate of £7.20 an hour, and will not change on 1 October 2016. However, all National Minimum Wage rates including the National Living Wage will be increased in parallel from April 2017.

Please note that this information is provided for general knowledge only and therefore specific advice should be sought for individual cases.