National Minimum Wage goes up today

The national minimum wage goes up today, 1 October 2010. The new hourly rates are:

• Standard (adult) rate: £5.93 (up from £5.80).
• Development rate (workers aged between 18 and 20): £4.92 (up from £4.83).
• Young workers rate (workers aged under 18 but above the compulsory school age who are not apprentices): £3.64 (up from £3.57).

The adult rate will be extended to 21-year-olds; it currently applies to workers aged 22 and over.

It is also worth noting a new minimum wage of £2.50 per hour for apprentices. This will apply to apprentices under 19 or those aged 19 and over but in the first year of their apprenticeship.

Full details are available here.