Changes to National Minimum Wage structure and rates from 1st October

From 1 October 2010 the national minimum wage rates will increase as follows:

Workers aged 21 and over will be entitled to a minimum wage of £5.93 per hour (previously the adult rate was £5.80 per hour and only applied to workers aged 22 and over);

Workers aged between 18 and 20 will be entitled to a minimum wage of £4.93 per hour (an increase from £4.83 per hour);

Workers aged 16 and 17 will be entitled to a minimum wage of £3.64 per hour (an increase from £3.57 per hour).

In addition, following a recommendation from the Low Pay Commission, an apprentice rate will be introduced with effect from 1 October 2010.  Apprentices under 19 and apprentices aged 19 and over but who are in their first year of apprenticeship will be entitled to receive a minimum wage of £2.50 per hour.  All other apprentices will receive the national minimum wage depending on their age.

Source Shepherd and Wedderburn