As part of the Government's commitment to protect vulnerable workers and support hardworking families, the Chancellor announced additional funding of around £3 million this year for monitoring and enforcing the National Minimum Wage. 

This includes an enhanced awareness and publicity campaign to ensure people know their right to the minimum wage. This week, a radio advert alerting people to their right to the new rate of £5.52 per hour is being broadcast on national and regional stations (you can hear it by clicking on the link below).

Minimum Wage - Radio Advert

In addition, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has produced a revised leaflet so employers know what they must do to meet the requirements of the minimum wage (you can see it by clicking on the icon below).

This year, the government is focussing on improving standards in the hotel sector. Campaign leaflets have been prepared covering NMW and wider employment issues identified as problems for the sector (available below in PDF format). 

Labour’s record on helping hardworking families 

-          There are 2.6 million more jobs than in 1997 and 600,000 children have been lifted out of poverty thanks to Labour’s determination to tackle social injustice and ensure fairness at work while keeping our economy strong and competitive

-          Around 1.0 million workers have benefited from the minimum wage each year since its introduction. A million workers stand to benefit from the 2007 increase.

-          Together with the Working and Child Tax Credits, the national minimum wage will currently guarantee that every family with one child and one person in full-time work will receive a minimum income of £276 per week from October 2007, up from £182 in April 1999.