UK to raise minimum wage

Business and unions in the UK were divided tonight over the national minimum wage after the British government announced that the adult rate will increase by 15p an hour, benefiting almost a million workers.

Ministers said they had accepted recommendations from the Low Pay Commission, taking the adult rate to £6.08 (€6.94) an hour in October, while the statutory minimum for 18-20-year-olds will increase by 6p to £4.98 (€5.68) an hour.