Date for your diary

As Spring approaches all employers should mark the date in your diaries. Changes to the regulations on National Minimum Wage come into place from April First.

Apart from being a day for high jinx, this year the date also marks an increase in the minimum hourly rates. The National Minimum Wage Regulations 2015 will be replaced and employers should adjust hourly rates and prepare for changes in wage bills accordingly.

Why are rates changing?

These new higher rates were published in February in accordance with recommendations from the Low Pay Commission. Each October this independent body advise the government after consultation with employers, workers, representatives throughout the UK.

What is changing?

The national living wage, hourly rates and apprentice rate. The accommodation offset will also change according to the draft regulations.

Hourly rates from 1st April 2017

The national living wage (workers aged 25 and over) is £7.50.

The standard adult rate (workers aged between 21 and 24) is £7.05.

The development rate (workers aged between 18 and 20) is £5.60.

The young workers rate (workers aged under 18 but above the compulsory school age who are not apprentices) is £4.05.

The rate for apprentices is £3.50.

If you have any queries on any of the forthcoming employment law changes and how they will impact your workforce then please do not hesitate to contact our Julie Sullivan.