National minimum wage to rise 2.5% to £6.08

The national minimum wage for adults will increase 15p from October to £6.08 an hour, the government has said.

The 2.5% increase had been recommended by the independent Low Pay Commission (LPC).

"More than 890,000 of Britain's lowest-paid workers will gain from these changes," said Business Secretary Vince Cable.

The lower rates that apply to the under-20s and apprentices will also rise in line with LPC recommendations.

The LPC was unanimous in its recommendations "despite all the economic uncertainties" according to its chairman, David Norgrove.

The complete set of changes are:

over-20s: up 15p (2.5%) to £6.08
18-20 year-olds: up 6p (1.2%) to £4.98
16-17 year-olds: up 4p (1.1%) to £3.68
apprentices: up 10p to (4%) £2.60.

Source the BBC