Changes to SMP and SSP and increase to minimum wage

From 6 April 2008 Statutory Maternity Pay will increase from £112.75 to £117.18 per week and Statutory Sick Pay increases from £72.55 to £75.40 per week.

From 1 October 2008 the minimum wage will increase. The adult rate will go up from £5.52 to £5.73 per hour. The rate for 18-21 year olds will rise from £4.60 to £4.77 and the 16-17 year old rate will increase from £3.40 to £3.53.