The Chancellor announced an increase in the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage in this week’s budget which will come into effect in April 2019.  In the South East there are few white collar workers being employed on contracts paying the statutory minimum.  However for people in the retail, healthcare and hospitality sector these increases will be very welcome.  It is important for employers paying national minimum wage to have good records and ensure that if an employee becomes eligible for National Living Wage e.g. they turn 25 years old the increase is applied immediately.  The NLW will rise from £7.83 – £8.21 in April 2019.