New minimum wage rates from October

The adult minimum wage will increase by 20p to £6.70 an hour from October this year.

This increase follows recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission (LPC) in March 2015. Controversially, however, the hourly rate for apprentices will increase by 57p to £3.30 an hour – 50p more than the LPC’s recommended 7p increase.

The new NMW rates, which come into force from the first pay period on or after 1 October 2015 are: adult rate £6.70 an hour (from £6.50); 18 to 20 year olds £5.30 an hour (from £5.13); 16 to 17 year olds £3.87 an hour (from £3.69); apprentice rate £3.30 an hour (from £2.73). The accommodation offset will increase from £5.08 a day to £5.35.