national minimum wage increases
From 1 October 2009 the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for eligible workers will increase to £5.80 an hour for workers aged 22 and above and to £4.83 an hour to workers aged 18-21.
The rate for those under the age of 18 but above compulsory school age will go up to £3.57 an hour.
Bars, restaurants and hotels will no longer be able to count service charges, tips, gratuities and cover charges paid to a worker through the employer's payroll as part of the NMW.
Since 6 April 2009 there are increased powers to ensure the enforcement of the national minimum wage.
Employers can now be issued with a financial penalty up to £5,000 for failure to pay the appropriate NMW at the same time as being issued with a notice of arrears in relation to any unpaid increases in the NMW rates. Alleged breaches of the NMW and offences are now triable in the Crown Court as well as magistrates courts, with unlimited fines.
