The National Minimum Wage (NMW) has been hailed for raising pay of security officers, among others, by Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
The latest rise in the NMW for adults, from £5.35 to £5.52 an hour, comes in from October.
He has accepted the level recommended by the independent Low Pay Commission which will also mean increases from £4.45 to £4.60 for 18 to 21 year olds, and from £3.30 to £3.40 for 16 and 17 year olds.
The DTI reports that it means the minimum wage has gone up by almost 30 per cent more than inflation since it was introduced in 1999, with the number of jobs increasing by almost two million in the same time.
Secretary of State says
Alistair Darling said: "More than a million workers, two thirds of them low paid women will benefit from this announcement. It is right for workers and employers. Just 10 years ago home workers could be paid as little as 35p an hour, cleaners £1.30 an hour and security guards £2.25 an hour. It’s bad for families and just plain wrong.
"I am proud of the minimum wage, proud of how it is helping families and proud of the role it plays in the modern economy we are delivering."
