The national minimum wage is due to increase again from 1 October 2013. This is a legal right which covers workers above compulsory school leaving age.

The new hourly rates are as follows:

• • Workers aged 21 and over will increase from £6.19 to £6.31
  • Workers between the ages of 18-20 will increase from £4.98 to 5.03
  • Workers between the ages of 16-17 will increase from £3.68 to £3.72
  • Apprentices up to the age of 19, or in their first year of apprenticeship, will increase from £2.65 to £2.68 (unless the rate is specified in the apprentice training contract). If the apprentice is 19 or over and past their first year of training, they will get the rate that applies to their age.