National minimum wage

The National Minimum Wage for those aged 21 years is now £5.73 per hour, up from £5.52.

The move has been welcomed by hospitality employers which have complained that recent above inflation increases in the National Minimum Wage have threatened to put a strain on their business.

But despite dire warnings of job losses, it is generally agreed that Labour's flagship National Minimum Wage Act (1998), which took effect on 1 April 1999, has given a huge amount of protection for the most vulnerable employees working in low paid jobs.

There has been a healthy debate over the common practice in hospitality for employers to top up staff wages with tips to ensure they are paid National Minimum Wage.

Another debate is whether workers should be paid a higher minimum wage, based on living costs, in areas such as London.

We have rounded up all the latest news, analysis and guidance on this dedicated landing page.

Latest news on national minimum wage

More news on national minimum wage

Hilton agency staff were paid less than the minimum wage 

National minimum wage increases to £5.52

Hotels face crackdown on minimum wage

Hospitality backs tougher stance on minimum wage

Carluccio's slammed for paying less than minimum wage

London workers should be paid more than national minimum wage

News comment on national minimum wage

Paying a fair wage brings benefits to all

Serving up better conditions for hospitality workforce

Changes to paid holiday will hit profits

National minimum wage on the web

View a history of the national minimum wage here

Download a detailed guide to the national minimum wage here

National minimum wage on HMRC website