News: Contract Law

Employment law training: Government raises national minimum wage

12 May 2009

Employment law training should take into account the government's announced changes to the minimum wage, which will take effect from October 1st.

Workers aged 22 or over are now entitled to £5.80 an hour, while the rate for 18 to 21 year olds has increased to £4.83.

Lord Peter Mandelson, business secretary, describes the national minimum wage as one of the most important rights workers currently hold.

He says that the Low Pay Commission's (LPC's) recommendations have taken into account the new economic conditions and the government has agreed with its assessment.

LPC chairman George Bain says the changes to employment law will reflect the need to protect both workers' jobs and earnings.

He states: "These are very challenging times for the UK and unprecedented economic circumstances for the minimum wage. We believe that the LPC's recommendations are appropriate for this economic climate."

Last month, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform introduced a new right for parents of children up to 16 to request flexible working, which employment law training will need to take into account.

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