THE national minimum wage is to increase by 12p an hour for adults to £6.31 from October, the Government has announced.
The rate for 18 to 20-year-olds will rise by 5p to £5.03, and by 4p to £3.72 for 16 and 17-year-olds.
Ministers said they had rejected a recommendation from the Low Pay Commission that the rate for apprentices should be frozen, announcing a 3p an hour rise to £2.68 an hour.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said recommendations would be accepted, but said there is evidence "employers are not paying apprentices the relevant minimum wage rate".
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