National Minimum Wage to rise again in October 2016

Apr 12, 2016
Author: Hawsons CC
Financial advice

The government announced increases to the National Minimum Wage, effective 1 October 2016, after accepting recommendations for the new rates from the Low Pay Commission (LPC).

The main National Minimum Wage rate (for 21- 24 year olds) will rise by 3.7% from £6.70 to £6.95 per hour.

The new October 2016 National Minimum Wage rates

The National Minimum Wage rates will increase from 1 October 2016 as follows:

  Current rate Rate from 1 October 2016
21-24 year olds £6.70 £6.95
18-20 year olds £5.30 £5.55
16-17 year olds £3.87 £4.00
Apprentice rate* £3.30 £3.40

*This apprentice rate is for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. All other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age.

A four-step checklist for employers following the announcement:

  • Know the correct rate of pay (including the National Living Wage)
  • Find out which staff are eligible which rates
  • Update the company payroll in time for 1 October 2016
  • Communicate the changes to staff as soon as possible

The National Living Wage

From 1 April 2016, following the introduction of the new National Living Wage, all workers aged 25 and over are legally entitled to at least £7.20 per hour. The National Living Wage rates are set to increase gradually alongside rises in the National Minimum Wage, and is projected to rise to more than £9 per hour in 2020.

The government will ask the LPC to suggest increases in the National Living Wage.

Moving forward – more compliance for employers

A government review has concluded that both the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage rates will increase from the same effective date come April 2017, rather than the usual October change for the National Minimum Wage.

This is a positive change, but does mean that the above rates will only be effective up until 31 March 2017.

Following the introduction of the new National Living Wage in April 2016, this will see be the fourth round of wage increases (in some form) in just two years. It is therefore unsurprising to see that many small (and indeed large) business owners are finding running their payroll an increasingly complex and time-consuming task. The compliance obligation on employers has never been greater and there has never been a better time to consider outsourcing your payroll.

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Stephen Charles partner

Stephen Charles is a tax partner at the firm, specialising in corporate and business taxation. For more details and advice, please contact Stephen on sac@hawsons.co.uk or 0114 266 7141.[/author_info]