The National Minimum Wage has been increased again to be effective from 1st April 2017. Different rates of the NMW still apply based on a worker’s age and whether or not they are an apprentice.
The National Living Wage applies to all working people aged over 25 years, and from April 2017 the rate will increase from £7.20 an hour to £7.50 an hour. For a number of years changes to the NMW would take place as of 1 October, this has now changed and from April 2017, any changes to the rates will come into force every April.
It is an offence not to pay your workers the Minimum or Living Wage – the new rates from April 2017 are:
Workers aged 25 years or older – £7.50 per hour
Workers aged 21-24 years – £7.05 per hour
Workers aged 18-20 years – £5.60 per hour
Workers aged 16-17 years – £4.05 per hour
Apprentices under 19 years or 19 years or over who are in the first year of apprenticeship – £3.50 per hour.