Catherwood LibraryILR School

The British government will raise the minimum wage for adults over 21 by 2% in October, bringing the minimum wage up to 5.93 pounds an hour. Apprentices minimum wage will be 2.50 pounds, and workers between 18 and 20 will get 4.92 pounds an hour, a 9p increase. A government official said that in the future they will be paying attention to younger workers and the competitiveness of businesses. Some are questioning the amount of the raises, that are usually commensurate with inflation, which has been measured at 5.1%, above the 2% increase. A government official said that the wage increases were appropriate given the state of the economy. It is estimated that the new minimum wages will effect around 970,000. London's wage was increased by 3.3% to 7.85 pounds early this month. The Mayor said that the increase was to help combat poverty.