The National Minimum Wage will increase from the 1st of April 2024. Employees aged over 21 will be entitled to at least £11.44 per hour, the top line minimum wage will now be required for all staff over 21 years old, where previously only those over 23 would be entitled to this.
Employees aged at least 18, but under 21 years will be entitled to £8.60 per hour, increasing from £7.49. Staff aged between 16 to 17 will be entitled to £6.40 per hour, rising from £5.28. The minimum wage for apprentices will rise to £6.40 per hour, up from £5.28.
The Carer's Leave Regulations come into force on the 6th of April 2024, this means that all employees who provide or arrange care for a long-term dependant will be entitled to an additional week of unpaid leave per year. Some businesses may wish to offer more than this, however once the regulations come into force, at least one week of unpaid leave per year for these individuals will become a legal requirement, so long as they meet the criteria outlined in the legislation.
Parents on maternity leave will be granted new protections on the 6th of April 2024 which extends the period that they are protected from redundancy whilst on maternity or shared parental leave. Whilst there are some conditions to this change, the general rule is that parents should be protected from redundancy for a period of up to 18 months from the date of birth of the child, or from the placement for adoption date.