Minimum wage increases today

Date: 1st October 2008

The national minimum wage will increase for all employees from today (October 1st).

For employees aged 22-years-old and over, the hourly rate will rise to £5.73 from £5.52, for those aged between 18 and 22 the rate will increase from £4.60 to £4.77, while workers who are 16 or 17-years-old will now be paid a minimum of £3.53 - up from £3.40.

The government says it will take a tough stance on employers which flaunt the rules - even those which genuinely don't realise an employee has moved up a wage bracket.

"Ten years ago, the national minimum wage was born, marking the start of a hard-fought campaign to introduce a basic standard of employment rights that every worker could be protected by," said Employment Relations minister Pat McFadden.

"The vast majority of employers treat their workers fairly and have nothing to fear from these changes. In fact, stronger enforcement will help prevent rogue bosses from undercutting honest competitors."

Employers also have until October 31st to file their paper self-assessment tax return or until January 31st if they are filing online.