Does anybody know what the minimum wage will go up to in England in October 2009?
Don’t think anybody knows yet. It went up in October 2008 from £5.52 to £5.73 per hour for workers aged 22 or over, to £4.77 for workers aged between 18 and 22 and to £3.53 per hour for workers aged between 16 and 17. This will be reviewed by the Low Pay commission but I do not think any final decision has yet been taken regarding increase in October 2009 although something like £5.95 per hour for workers over 22 seems likely. But it may depend on whether UK economy is still in deflation or inflation during summer months if Labour stays in power. The Conservatives were opposed to the minimum wage legislation when it came in, as they insist it costs people’s jobs, but in the event of an Election returning them into government they have not as yet given any confirmation whether they will abolish it or not.
