Minimum Wage & National Living Wage rise in April - how much more will you get per hour?
NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE and National Living Wage rates are rising in April 2020, the government has confirmed. How much more will people on these hourly rates end up with following the changes?
National Living Wage to increase by 6.2% in 2020
The minimum hourly rate that a person can be paid depends on their age and whether or not they’re classed as an apprentice. Changes to the rates occur every April, and with this just a matter of weeks away, the government has confirmed the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates for 2020 to 2021.
In order to get the National Minimum Wage, a person must be at least school leaving age.
However, this age depends on where a person lives, meaning those living in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may have different school leaving ages.
For the National Living Wage, a person must be at least aged 25.
What are the current National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage rates? What will they rise to in April 2020?
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National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage: April 2019
The current rate, which came into effect in April 2019, are detailed as the following:
National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage: April 2020
The Gov.uk website says that apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they’re either aged under 19, or they are aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship.
An example of this is an apprentice aged 22 in the first year of their apprenticeship, who is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £3.90.
Apprentices are entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they are both:
- Aged 19 or over
- Have completed the first year of their apprenticeship.
This means that an apprentice who is aged 22 who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to the minimum hourly rate of £7.70.
It’s possible to use a minimum wage calculator hosted on the government website in order to check whether the National Living Wage or the National Minimum Wage is being paid.
The National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage differs to the Real Living Wage - with the latter not being something which employers have to do, but can instead sign up for.
According to estimates from the independent Low Pay Commission, nearly three million workers are set to benefit from the increases to the National Living Wage and Minimum Wage rates for younger workers.
The new rates will start on April 1, 2020.