News from Calculated Risks Limited
The new minimum wage rates effective from October 2008 have been announced. The rates will be increased to:
£5.73 per hour (up from £5.52) for adult workers 22+£4.77 per hour (up from £4.60) for young workers 18-21£3.53 per hour (up from £3.40) for 16-18 year olds
Clarification on payment for workers on Government schemes is made with such employees only being entitled to the National Minimum Rates if they are remunerated by the employer - if they are merely in receipt of some form of state benefit then the NMW does not apply. (Expenses does not count as remuneration) Workers participating in a work trial are also excluded from the right for the first six weeks (increased from three weeks).
The value of the accommodation amount which is applicable where an employer provides a worker with living accommodation will increase from £4.30 to £4.46 for each day that accommodation is provided.
