Minimum wage increase: what are the changes?

Farm employers will need to prepare for a rise in the national minimum wage, which will take effect from 1 October 2015.

The biggest rise will be for apprentices whose pay will rise 57p from £2.73 to £3.30/hour and workers older than 20 whose wages will increase by 20p from £6.50 to £6.70/hour.

  • Changes to national minimum wage:
  • Adult rate: up 20p to £6.70/hour
  • Apprentices: up 57p to £3.30/hour
  • 18- to 20-year-olds: up 17p to £5.30/hour
  • 16- to 17-year-olds: up 8p to £3.87/hour
  • Accommodation offset: up from £5.08 to £5.35

The rise for apprentices is higher than was recommended by the Low Pay Commission and the biggest ever increase in wages for that group.

The increase in the national minimum wage is expected to affect 1.4 million workers across Britain.