Minimum wage rise takes effect

A rise in the earnings of the lowest paid workers has come into effect; the UK minimum wage increases from £6.08 to £6.19 an hour. The rate for those aged under 21 remains unchanged.

The government announced in March that the minimum wage would rise by 11p. This 1.8% rise is slightly lower than the typical rise in earnings and the current rate of inflation, which represents the rising cost of living.

The freeze in the minimum wage for those aged under 21 means that:

The rate for 18 to 20-year-olds remains at £4.98 an hour
The rate for 16 and 17-year-olds remains at £3.68 an hour
However, the rate for apprentices rises by 5p to £2.65 an hour

The minimum wage was introduced in 1999 at £3.60 an hour for adults. The latest setting for minimum wage levels mirrors recommendations from the Low Pay Commission.