Getting ready for the National Minimum Wage increase

4 Mar 2024

All employers need to be aware that National Living and Minimum Wage rates are increasing on 1 April 2024. Also, the National Living Wage will be extended to workers aged 21 and over (previously only for age 23 and over).

All employers should ensure that their workers are paid correctly, according to the new rates. Businesses can take these simple actions to meet their legal responsibilities and avoid falling foul of the law:

• check the new rates on GOV.UK

• identify which staff are due the new rate

• update payroll and communicate the changes to staff as soon as possible

• call the Acas helpline to get advice and support on paying workers correctly

• visit the calculating the minimum wage guidance page to view practical advice.

You can find out more by joining one of our live webinars that are taking place throughout March, where a panel of experts will be on hand to answer questions:

Getting ready for the National Minimum Wage increase

Register here

Even if you are paying your workers an hourly wage at or above the National Living or National Minimum Wage, you could still be underpaying them. This can easily happen when an employer makes wage deductions, counts tips towards pay, deducts costs of workwear or tools from pay, or doesn’t pay for all time worked.

Every successful business is made by the people who work there, and it is right they are treated fairly, receive a decent wage and have the opportunity to develop a career. Around 3 million people across the UK will receive the National Living and Minimum Wage.

This year, the 25th anniversary of the National Minimum Wage provides an important opportunity to reflect on the support and commitment that employers continue to offer to their workers.

Increases to the minimum wage support the UK’s workforce and are a key part of the government’s action to support households with the cost of living.