• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Top notice bar

Call us on 08000 388799

Avanti Tax Accountants HomepageAvanti Tax Accountants

Bookkeeping, Accountancy and Taxation services

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Services
    • Bookkeeping & Accountancy
    • Corporation & Personal Tax
    • Payroll & CIS
    • Company Secretarial Bureau
    • Budgeting, Forecasting & Business Valuations
    • Mentoring & Business Coaching
    • Software & Training
  • Our Accountants
  • News & Insights
  • Send An Enquiry
Home » News & Insights » Increase in National Minimum Wage

Increase in National Minimum Wage

Posted on 30th January 2020

One of our clients is aware that new national minimum wage rates will be introduced in April and wants to know what they need to do from an HR perspective to prepare for this?

As announced prior to the New Year, the current national minimum wage (NMW) rates will be increased in April 2020 in what is being described as the ‘biggest ever cash boost’ for UK workers. In fact, estimates suggest these increases will result in a pay raise for almost 3 million UK workers and that a full-time employee could benefit from an increase of up to £930 a year.

These changes mean that those aged 25 and over, and therefore eligible for the National Living Wage (NLW), will be entitled to receive £8.72 per hour, up from £8.21 an hour previously.

At the same time, the minimum wage rates for workers aged between 21-24 will increase from £7.70 to £8.20 an hour; the rate for 18-20-year olds will increase from £6.15 to £6.45 an hour and those over compulsory school age, but not yet 18 will get an hourly increase from £4.35 to £4.55.

The apprentice rate for those under 19 years of age, or 19 and over but in the first year of their apprenticeship will also increase from £3.90 to £4.15 an hour.

In the lead up to April, our client should work with their payroll department to ensure the new hourly rates are reflected in staff salaries, starting from the relevant pay reference period. It is important that our client gets this right, as unintentional errors could result in claims for unlawful deduction of wages.

Therefore, as NMW rates have clearly defined age boundaries it is imperative that our client double checks information on employees’ date of birth ahead of time to ensure this is correct.

For clarity, our client should notify the staff of the pay rise ahead of time with written confirmation. This transparency is likely to be well received and could help build positive employee relations. It also offers an opportunity to explain that any overtime worked during a pay reference period prior to the introduction of the new rates, that is payable after these have been introduced, will still be paid at the previous rate.

Additionally, if our client already chooses to pay staff over NMW as part of a competitive benefits package they may consider increasing salaries further, in line with these changes, to ensure they are able to retain a competitive advantage over minimum wage employers when it comes to recruitment and retention efforts.

Whilst there may be several months until these new rates are introduced, our client should avoid leaving preparations until the last minute. With employees becoming increasingly aware of their rights, especially when it comes to paying, any failure to implement these new rates on time is sure to be noticed and could be particularly costly for our client’s reputation. [1]

[1] Reproduced with permission of Croner Taxwise

Share this post:

Share on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare on E-mail

Filed Under: Exclusive News

Disclaimer:- The information contained herein is given by way of general guidance only and no action should be taken solely on the basis of the information contained herein. The Avanti Group (UK) Ltd will be pleased to provide further guidance on the issues, and how they might affect you. No liability is accepted by the firm for any action taken without seeking appropriate professional advice

Footer

Navigate

  • Find An Accountant
  • About Us
  • News & Insights
  • Privacy Policy
  • Letter Of Engagement

Our Services

  • Software & Training
  • Mentoring & Business Coaching
  • Budgeting, Forecasting & Business Valuations
  • Company Secretarial Bureau
  • Payroll & CIS
  • Corporation & Personal Tax
  • Bookkeeping & Accountancy

Get In Touch

Tel: 08000 388799
Send us an enquiry

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
Copyright © 2023 Avanti Tax Accountants · All Rights Reserved
Part of The Maurice J Bushell & Co Ltd Franchise (UK) Ltd · Company Reg: 10407313 and The Avanti Group (UK) Ltd · Company Reg: 04635630 · Created by Purple Hippo
  • So we can contact you to discuss your enquiry
  • So a member of our team from your area can contact you
  • By clicking ‘Send Enquiry’ you agree to receive contact from Avanti Tax Accountants using the details given above. We respect your personal information and your privacy and will not share or sell your information to other organisations. Please read our Privacy Policy for more information.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.