Government announces increase in National Minimum Wage to £6.70
The National Minimum Wage will increase from £6.50 by 20p an hour to £6.70 from October this year. The hourly rate for apprentices will also see a 20% increase and will go up to £3.30 an hour. These changes will benefit more than 1.4 million workers. For more details, please see the direct.gov website.
Employers will need to prepare for the relevant increases and ensure that all workers are paid the minimum wage. Employers who fail to pay the appropriate wages will face criminal prosecution as well as fines of up to £20,000.
In 2013, the government changed the law to allow employers who fail to pay minimum wage to be publically named. This year so far ministers have publically named 48 employers who are suspected of failing to pay employees national minimum wage. BBC News have reported on the story here.
If you are concerned about how this will affect you, particularly if you own a care-home where staff work over night and receive a sleep-in allowance, please contact Kate Brooks at kate.brooks@ellisjones.co.uk.
How can we help?
When you submit this form an email will be sent to the relevant department who will contact you within 48 hours. If you require urgent advice please call 01202 525333.
