April 1st 2019 marked the launch of a few changes for employers.
Not only are there the new Making Tax Digital regulations to follow, employers must also review their current employees’ salaries if they are paying anyone in their business National Minimum Wage.
For workers aged 25 and over the rate, called the National Living Wage, increases from £7.83 per hour to £8.21 per hour – an increase of 4.85%. As with all the changes, this is a legal requirement and must be implemented by all employers.
Below are the new rates for each age range:
| 25+ | 21 to 24 | 18 to 20 | Under 18 | Apprentice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £8.21 | £7.70 | £6.15 | £4.35 | £3.90 |
These increases are in line with recommendations given by the Low Pay Commission, who welcome the change.
However the Living Wage Foundation, an independent organisation campaigning for fair pay, suggests that this is still too little, recommending a “Real Living Wage” of £9 per hour across the UK and £10.55 per hour in London.
Penalties imposed on employers that are in breach of the minimum wage legislation are 200% of the arrears owed to workers, with a maximum penalty of £20,000 per worker.