Both the National Minimum Wage and annual holiday entitlement have been increased as from today.
The minimum wage for adult workers - those aged 22 and over - has increased from £5.35 to £5.52 per hour; from £4.45 to £4.60 per hour for 18 to 21 year olds and from £3.30 to £3.40 per hour for 16 and 17 year olds.
Annual leave entitlement for full time workers has increased from 20 to 24 days per year, rising to 28 days in April 2008. It is up to the employer, however, as to whether the entitlement includes public and bank holidays. Therefore, as there are currently 8 public/bank holidays per year, from April next year the minimum holiday entitlement for a full time worker will be 28 days made up of 8 days public/bank holidays plus 20 other paid days.
Further information relating to the National Minimum Wage can be found on the HM Revenue and Customs site.