National Minimum / Living Wages Increase

As of 1st April 2019 the National Minimum and Living Wages increased.

The new rates are as follows:

·£8.21 per hour - 25 yrs old and over – National Living Wage

·£7.70 per hour - 21-24 yrs old

·£6.15 per hour 18-20 yrs old

·£4.35 per hour - 16-17 yrs old

·£3.90 for apprentices under 19 or 19 or over who are in the first year of apprenticeship.

The penalty for non-payment of the correct minimum wage will be a fine of 200% of the amount owed, unless the arrears are paid within 14 days. The employer will also need to make up the loss suffered to the employee.

The maximum fine for non-payment will be £20,000 per worker. However, employers who fail to pay will be banned from being a company director for up to 15 years. The company will also be “named and shamed” by BEIS.