Government announces the annual increase to minimum rates of pay

The Government has announced the annual increase to minimum rates of pay that are to take effect in April 2023.  For those aged 23 and over this will mean at least £10.42 per hour before deductions for tax, National Insurance and pension (if applicable) are made.

The full list of changes, which come into force on 1^st April 2023, are as follows:

• National Living Wage for over-23s: £9.50 to £10.42 an hour
• National Minimum Wage for those aged 21-22: £9.18 to £10.18
• National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds: £6.83 to £7.49
• National Minimum Wage for under-18s: £4.81 to £5.28
• The Apprentice rate: £4.81 to £5.28

The minimum wage is the same across all parts of the UK.

All workers and employees are entitled to receive the minimum wage for their age, with breaches being enforced by HMRC or by the employee themselves through the Employment Tribunal.  Furthermore, there is protection against dismissal for those who have raised complaints about being paid less than the relevant amount.