On 1st October  the National Minimum Wage increases as follows:

• 21 and over will increase by 15p to £6.08 an hour
• 18-20-year-olds will increase by 6p to £4.98 an hour
• 16-17-year-olds will increase by 4p to £3.68 an hour
• apprentices aged below 19 or any age for the first 12 months of apprenticeship will increase by 10p to £2.60 an hour.

Entitlement to the NMW

Most workers in the UK over school leaving age are legally entitled to be paid at least the NMW and all employers have to pay it to you if you are entitled to it. It makes no difference:

• if you are paid weekly or monthly, by cheque, in cash or in another way
• if you work full time, part time or any other working pattern
• if you work at your employer’s own premises or elsewhere
• what size your employer is
• where you work in the UK

You are entitled to the NMW even if you sign a contract agreeing to be paid at a lower rate. This is regardless of whether you sign of your own free will or because your employer persuades or makes you. The contract will have no legal effect and you must still be paid the proper rate.