The government have announced the October increases in the national minimum wage.
From October the new rate for 21 year olds and older will increase by 19p an hour to £6.50, an increase of 3%. At the same time the rate for 18 to 20-year-olds will go up by 10p to £5.13 an hour, and for those aged 16 and 17 by 7p to £3.79, in both cases representing a 2% increase.
Apprentices will earn an extra 5p an hour, taking their wages to at least £2.73.
The increase of 3% in the main rate means that for the first time in six years the rise will be higher than inflation.