New Minimum Wage Rise

An increase in the national minimum wage from £5.52 to £5.73 an hour for adult workers has come into force.The statutory hourly rate for 18 to 22-year-olds has also risen from £4.60 to £4.77, and for 16 and 17-year-olds has lifted from £3.40 to £3.53.

The government is planning to introduce new regulations in April that will impose a £5,000 automatic fine on any employer failing to pay the minimum rate.

Serious cases could lead to a prosecution in a Crown Court where there is no limit to the fine that could be set.A helpline was recently set up for people to report the mistreatment of workers and illegal pay rates.