The Government has announced the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates that will apply from 1 October 2015.
The apprentice rate, which applies to apprentices under 19 or over 19 and in the first year of their apprenticeship, will increase by 57p (20 per cent) from 1 October 2015, from £2.73 to £3.30. This is a significant increase on that proposed by the Low Pay Commission (LPC), which had recommended an increase of 2.6 per cent to £2.80 per hour.
The remaining NMW rates are as recommended by the LPC:
- The adult rate will increase by 20p (3 per cent) from £6.50 to £6.70 per hour;
- The rate for 18- to 20-year-old workers will increase by 17p (3.3 per cent) from £5.13 to £5.30 per hour;
- The rate for 16- and 17-year-olds will increase by 8p (2.1 per cent) from £3.79 to £3.87 per hour.