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National Minimum Wage to increase from October
Following the publication of the 2010 Budget, the Government has confirmed that the National Minimum Wage (NMW) will increase with effect from 1 October 2010.
On this date the main adult rate of the NMW, which currently applies to those aged 22 and over, will rise by 2.2% from £5.80 to £5.93 an hour.
In addition, as previously announced, 21 year olds will be also included in the main adult rate from 1 October.
The TUC has welcomed the news, arguing that the rise will benefit around a million people.
TUC Brendan Barber said, 'Once again the Low Pay Commission has managed to resist employer calls for a freeze and has been able to agree a modest increase to the minimum wage rate despite the difficult economic times'.
However, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has described the move as 'irresponsible'.
Stephen Robertson, BRC Director General, said, 'The BRC supports the principle of the minimum wage, but it's sheer madness to be forcing new costs on this scale onto retailers and their suppliers'.