United Kingdom: national minimum wage to rise by 4% from 1 April

From April, the British national minimum wage will increase by 4.1%, following recommendations issued by the Low Pay Commission last November. The rate will rise from £12.21 to £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over. Younger workers will see steeper hikes: the rate for 18-20-year-olds will climb 8.5% to £10.85 per hour, while the rate for those under 18 will increase by 6% to £8 per hour. This latter rate also applies to apprentices under the age of 19. Conversely, apprentices aged 19 and