Employers prepare for rise in minimum wage this April
Page Kirk's Payroll Manager SUE NEWMAN looks at the changes set to take effect just before the start of the new tax year.
Anyone who is on the minimum wage obviously take a close interest in the rates of pay, but so – of course – do the employers who need to foot the bill. The government has already confirmed that the figures will be rising on 1st April 2020 and the increases are significant and a long way above the headline rate of inflation.
An apprentice will be entitled to £4.15 per hour, while someone aged between 18 and 20 will earn £6.45 (an increase of 4.9%). The rate for those between 21 and 24 increases by 6.5% to £8.20, while the top payment – reserved for those aged 25 and over – is climbing by 6.2% to £8.72.
There are, of course, some exceptions to the entitlement, including the self-employed, company directors and volunteers, as well as members of the armed forces, fishermen and prisoners. You can find a full list on government web pages.
If you want advice on these issues, or are thinking about outsourcing your payroll to keep on top of legislation, please contact us on 0115 955 5500 or email enquiries@pagekirk.co.uk.