The Department of Economic Development (DED) has announced that it is bringing forward a proposal for Tynwald approval, which will increase the main rate of the Minimum Wage to ?6.40 per hour, a rise of 20p, with effect from the 1st October 2013.

Minister for Economic Development John Shimmin MHK commented:

‘I am grateful to the Minimum Wage Committee for having consulted with interested parties, gathering a range of evidence and submitting their proposals to me for consideration.  I have reviewed their findings and have concurred with their proposal to increase the main rate by 20p per hour.

‘This rise in the main rate also ensures that being in employment pays by providing incentive to those individuals who are able to work to seek employment.’

The other rates covered by Minimum Wage proposal are to remain unchanged. If Tynwald approval is granted then the full list of rates will become as follows:

• Workers aged 18 or over (except for Development Workers) - ?6.40 per hour
• Workers over compulsory school age but under 17 - ?4.67
• Workers aged 17 - ?5.24
• The accredited training rate for workers aged 18 and over - ?5.24
• The accommodation offset - ?38.50 per week with the rates for calculating the offset being:

o Hourly rate 96.25 pence
o Daily rate ?5.50 (based on 7 days)

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