From 1 October 2009, the principal rate of the national minimum wage will increase from £5.73 to £5.80 per hour. The rate paid to workers aged between 18 and 21 will increase from £4.77 to £4.83 per hour and the rate to be paid to workers aged below 18 who have ceased to be of compulsory school age will increase from £3.53 to £3.57 per hour.
Also from 1 October 2009 service charges, tips, gratuities and cover charges paid to a worker through the employer's payroll may not count towards the national minimum wage.
