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Legislation to increase the national minimum wage from 1 October 2009 has been finalised. 

The changes to the national minimum wage rates are as follows:

• the main rate rises from £5.73 per hour to £5.80 per hour;

• the development rate rises from £4.77 per hour to £4.83 per hour; and

• the rate for workers aged 16 to 17 years rises from £3.53 per hour to £3.57 per hour. 

Changes to the calculation of the national minimum wage in the hospitality industry are also afoot. Currently, service charges, tips, gratuities and cover charges paid to staff through the payroll can count towards the national minimum wage. This practice will be prohibited from 1 October 2009. 

The daily amount that can be taken into account by employers who provide their employees with accommodation will also increase from £4.46 to £4.51 from 1 October 2009. 

The National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2009 can be read in more detail on the OPSI website. (Select the link)