Increases in Minimum Wage rates are announced today.

These will take effect in October. The Minimum Wage for workers aged 22 and over will increase from £5.73 to £5.80 an hour.  

The rate for 18 to 21-year-olds will rise from £4.77 to £4.83. 

For 16 and 17-year-olds, the rate will go up to £3.57 an hour from £3.53. 

Nearly one million people will benefit from the increase which was recommended by the independent Low Pay Commission. 

From Westminster, local MP, Gordon Prentice, said: “The Minimum Wage is an important safety net for many low paid workers. But too many people are still completely in the dark about minimum wage levels.” 

“I want to see the Government make it mandatory for all pay slips to set out the current minimum wage rate.”