On 1 October 2007, the National Minimum Wage was increased from £5.35 to £5.52 per hour for workers aged 22 and over. The rate for 18 to 21 year olds was also increased from £4.45 to £4.60 per hour and, for those aged 16 to 17 the rate was increased from £3.30 to £3.40.
H M Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are responsible for enforcing the National Minimum Wage. During November 2007, a special programme was set up by the HMRC to target the hotel sector and employers who refuse or wilfully neglect to pay the National Minimum Wage. HMRC have said in their Employer’s Bulletin that they intend to impose heavy fines under the National Minimum Wage Act on those employers who fail to pay.