National minimum wage goes up

The national minimum wage rates have gone up from today.

The new hourly minimum rates that every employee must be legally paid from today are:

  • £6.50 for workers aged 21 and over, an increase of 19p;
  • £5.13 for workers aged 18-20 an hour, up by 10p;
  • £3.79 for workers aged 16-17, up by 9p an hour;
  • £2.73 for apprentices under 19, or in the first year of their apprenticeship, a rise of 5p.

 

“The minimum wage is a vital safety net benefiting about one million workers a year,” says UNISON head of policy Sampson Low.

“But over the last few years, it has not kept pace with inflation and it urgently needs to increase. It is not a living wage.

“We also need greater resources for legal enforcement by HMRC inspectors and for companies and public bodies to take greater responsibility for their supply chain and the agencies they use.

“UNISON stewards play a vital role every day in highlighting the exploitation of vulnerable workers and bargaining for higher wages for all.”

If you are a UNISON member and believe you are not being paid the minimum wage, please contact your local steward or branch.

You can also contact the government pay and rights help-line on 0800 917 2368, textphone 0800 121 4042, Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and between 9am and 1pm on Saturdays. The service is free and confidential.

Government pay and rights helpline website (external link)  

UNISON Knowledge: Minimum wage (member only content)

UNISON Knowledge: Low pay (member only content)

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