Minimum wage rates are increased

The adult rate of the National Minimum Wage (NMW), which applies to workers aged 22 and over, increased by 3.2% on 1 October, from £5.35 to £5.52. The rate for workers aged 18 to 21 rose by 3.4% to £4.60, and 16- to 17-year-olds saw a 3.0% increase in their rate to £3.40.

The accommodation offset – the amount that can be deducted to derive the legal minimum rate for workers given free accommodation – rose to £4.30 per day or £30.10 per week.