The national minimum wage and national living wage rates will rise from 1 April 2018.
Eligible workers aged 25 and over who are not in their first year of an apprenticeship will be entitled to the new national living wage rate of £7.83.
Those aged 21-24 will see their hourly wage rise to £7.38.
Apprentices will benefit from a record rise of 5.7%, according to the government, with the hourly apprentice rate increasing to £3.70.
The apprentice rate applies to those aged 16-18 and 19 or over in their first year.
| Year | 25 and over | 21 to 24 | 18 to 20 | Under 18 | Apprentice |
| April 2017 | £7.50 | £7.05 | £5.60 | £4.05 | £3.50 |
| From 1 April 2018 | £7.83 | £7.38 | £5.90 | £4.20 | £3.70 |
This comes after the government ‘named and shamed’ 179 employers for failing to pay their workers the minimum wage, charging fines of £1.3 million in total.
Andrew Griffiths, business minister, said:
“There are no excuses for short-changing workers.
“This is an absolute red line for this government and employers who cross it will get caught – not only are they forced to pay back every penny but they are also fined up to 200% of wages owed.”
Talk to us about paying the national minimum wage and national living wage.