Following its review, the Government has accepted the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission for the National Minimum Wage. From April 2018 the new rates will be as follows:
£7.38 per hour for 21-24 year olds
£5.90 per hour for 18-20 year olds
£4.20 per hour for 16-17 year olds
£3.70 per hour for apprentices (under 19 or 19 and over and in the first year of their apprenticeship)
The National Living Wage for those aged over 25 years old will also be rising from April 1st to £7.83 per hour.
The National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage are legal requirements. If HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) find that an employer has not paid the correct minimum wage, they can issue a notice for the arrears as well as a penalty.