New national minimum wage rates takes effect

A number of employment law changes come into effect today (Thursday 1 October) including new rates for the national minimum wage.

1. 1.       National Minimum Wage

£6.70 per hour (up 20p) for adult workers who are over 21

£5.30 per hour (up 17p) for the development rate which applies to workers between 18 and 20

£3.87 per hour (up 8p) for young workers who are under 18 but above the compulsory school leaving age (not apprentices)

£3.30 per hour (up 57p) for apprentices under 19 or those aged 19 and over but in the first year of their apprenticeship

1. 2.       Other changes

The Deregulation Act 2015 (DRA 2015) will introduce the following changes:

• Employment tribunals’ power to make wider recommendations in successful discrimination cases will be repealed. (Section 2, DRA 2015)

• Sikh workers will be able to wear a turban instead of a safety helmet in almost all workplaces in Great Britain. Limited exceptions will remain for specific roles in the military and emergency services. (Sections 6 and 7, DRA 2015)

This month The Modern Slavery Act is also expected to come into force, introducing a requirement for large businesses which supply goods or services, and have a minimum total turnover of £36 million per year, to publish a slavery and human trafficking statement each year.  This should set out the action they have taken to ensure their supply chains are slavery free.

If you would like advice regarding any of these changes, please contact Kate Wyatt who is a Director in our Employment team who will be able to help.