Just been dealing with a PM on this old topic (the old threads have now been archived).

So I'll update the information here for future searchers, from 1st October this year (2005) the Minimum Wage rates will increase to £5.05 per hour for those aged 22 and over (currently £4.85 per hour) and to £4.25 per hour for the 18-21 age group (currently £4.10 per hour). For those who are aged 16 and 17, their minimum wage will be £3.00 per hour. There is currently no mention of an increase in this rate.

It appears a further increase in the adult rate in on the cards to £5.35 an hour, provisionally scheduled for October 2006.

Further to my post above, the National Minimum Wage was increased on the 1st October 2005. This increase applies to ALL employees employed in the UK irrespective of the employee's nationality.