Increases in the national minimum wage

Increases in the national minimum wage will take effect from 1 October 2012. The new hourly rates are as follows:

  • Standard (adult) rate – £6.19
  • Development rate (workers aged between 18 and 20): £4.98 (rising from £4.92).
  • Young workers rate (workers aged under 18 but above the compulsory school age who are not apprentices): £3.68 (rising from £3.64).
  • Apprentices: The rate for certain apprentices (those under 19 years of age or those aged 19 and over but in the first year of their apprenticeship) will rise to £2.65per hour. All other apprentices will continue to receive the national minimum wage at the appropriate age rate.