07/03/2007

National minimum wage to increase in October

Citizens Advice has welcomed today’s announcement that the government have accepted the latest recommendations by the Low Pay Commission to increase the rates in minimum wage again in October 2007.

It is estimated that this latest increase in rates will benefit 40,000 workers in Northern Ireland alone and around 1 million throughout the UK, included 660,000 women workers.

From 1 October 2007, anyone aged 22 years and above will be entitled to £5.52 per hour, an increase of 17p.

Workers aged 18 – 21 will become entitled to £4.60 per hour, an increase of 15p and those aged 16 and 17 will become entitled to £3.40 per hour, an increase of 10p per hour.

Citizens Advice operates the National Minimum Wage Helpline in Northern Ireland on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry and works in partnership with the HMRC Compliance team in province.

Diane Wilson, NMW Helpline Manager, said: “This latest increase announcement is good news and can make a real difference to the lives of thousands of low paid workers in Northern Ireland.

“Citizens Advice supports minimum wage as an important statutory employment right and believes that it is essential that all workers receive a fair wage for a days work.”

(JM/SP)

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