The National Minimum Wage has increased again from October 2007

The minimum wage is a legal right which covers almost all workers above compulsory school leaving age. There are different minimum wage rates for different groups of workers as follows:

* The main rate for workers aged 22 and over increased on 1 October 2007 to £5.52 an hour from £5.35 an hour
* The development rate for 18-21 year olds increased to £4.60 an hour from £4.45 an hour
* The development rate for 16-17 year old increased to £3.40 an hour from £3.30 an hour

* On 1 October 2007 the rate of the accommodation offset increased to £30.10 per week (£4.30 per day) from £29.05 per week (£4.15 per day)