SUMMARY: The Government has announced that from 1 October 2015 changes to the national minimum wage will come into effect.
The Changes
The following changes to the national minimum wage will take effect from 1 October 2015:
| 1 October 2014 to 30 September 2015 | From 1 October 2015 | |
| Standard Adult Rate | £6.50 | £6.70 |
| Development Rate | £5.13 | £5.30 |
| Young Workers Rate | £3.79 | £3.87 |
| Apprenticeship Rate | £2.73 | £3.30 |
The increase in the adult national minimum wage rate is reported to be the biggest real-terms rise in 7 years.
Note that from April 2016 there will be a new rate for workers aged 25 and over of £7.20, known as the national living wage.
The Categories
The Standard Adult Rate
This rate applies to workers aged 21 or over.
The Development Rate
This rate applies to workers aged between 18 and 20 inclusive.
The Young Workers’ Rate
This rate applies to workers aged below 18 but above the compulsory school age but who are not apprentices.
Apprenticeship Rate
This rate was introduced in October 2010 and applies to all apprentices under 19 years of age or those aged 19 and over but in the first year of their apprenticeship.
Contact Details
For more details about the national minimum wage changes please contact:
+44 (0) 808 172 93 22
This update is for general guidance only and does not constitute definitive advice
