The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has described the increase of low-paid workers as ‘Modest’. The Government stated that they have decided that the national minimum wage for adults will increase by 15 pence from October 2011 to £6.08 an hour.

Vince Cable, the Business Secretary – said that the changes would “Help more than 890,000 of Britain’s lowest-paid workers”.

The 2.5% increase was recommended by the independent Low Pay Commission (LPC). The LPC where unanimous in recommendations ‘Despite all the economic uncertainties” according to David Norgrove, LPC’s chairman.

The complete set of changes are as following:

16-17 year-olds: Up 4p (1.1%) to £3.68
18-20 year-olds: Up 6p (1.2%) to £4.98
Over-21s: Up 15p (2.5%) to £6.08
Apprentices: Up 10p to (4%) £2.60