Member Article

Government announces 20p rise in minimum wage

The government have announced that minimum wage will increase by 20p to £6.70 an hour, effective this October.

The Low Pay Commission (LPC) recommended that the PM accept the proposed 3% rise, which is set to benefit workers aged over 21.

The increase is the largest real-terms rise in the rate since 2008 although falls short of the rate’s value before the financial crash.

In addition, the Coalition has also accepted the commission’s call to raise the level for younger workers over 18 by 17p to £5.30, and for 16 and 17-year-olds by 8p to £3.87.

Moreover, apprentice pay will also rise as ministers are increasing the level by 57p to £3.30.

David Cameron said: “At the heart of our long-term economic plan for Britain is a simple idea - that those who put in, should get out; that hard work is really rewarded; that the benefits of recovery are truly national.”