The summer is a traditionally quiet period for employment news as everyone heads off for their summer holidays. Some Courts break for the summer recess and everyone is busy enjoying the British summer.  Well on a quiet news day, I thought I would share a forthcoming change in employment law or rather a raise in the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

The current rate is £6.19 if you are 21 years+ which from the 1st October 2013 will rise to £6.31.  For the 18-20 year old bracket it will rise from £4.98 to £5.03 and 16-17 year old will see their NMW increase from £3.68 to £3.72 and apprentices get a 3p rise to £2.68.  These (save for the apprentice wage which was recommended to just freeze) are in line with the recommendations to the Government from the Low Pay Commission.

Given the cost of living increases over recent years not sure even the 12p an hour (which is the biggest increase) will mean workers see any real impact. Don’t spend it all at once.