Irelands's minimum wage moves ahead of UK's

The UK minimum wage rate is falling behind the Irish equivalent, which was raised by 10% last month. The Irish rate for an "experienced adult worker" is now €7.00 (£4.76) an hour, compared with the UK minimum for workers over 21 of £4.50.

Irish workers aged under 18 are now paid €4.90 an hour (£3.33), and those on training courses or in their first two years of employment have minimum rates ranging from €5.25 (£3.67) to €6.30 (£4.28).

In the UK there is no minimum for the under 18s, and those aged 18 to 21 get only £3.80.

The Irish increase was agreed as part of the latest national settlement on pay and other issues, signed by the Irish unions, employers and government last year.