National minimum wage increased from 1 October

On Monday 1 October 2012 the National Minimum Wage rose in accordance with the recommendations set out by the Low Pay Commission in its 2012 report.

The adult rate increased by 11 pence to £6.19 an hour; the rate for 18-20 year olds remained at £4.98 an hour; the rate for 16-17 year olds remained at £3.68 an hour; the rate for apprentices increased by 5 pence to £2.65 an hour; and the accommodation offset increased by 9 pence to £4.82 per day.  

Around one million of Britain’s lowest-paid workers, some of whom who work in the voluntary and community sector, will gain from these changes.