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The 'national living wage' (NLW) and national minimum wage (NMW) are both set to rise next year, the government confirmed at last week's autumn statement.

 

The NLW, which currently stands at £7.20 an hour, will increase to £7.50 an hour as of April 2017. The national minimum wage for under-25s will also increase:

 

• from £6.95 to £7.05 for 21- to 24-year-olds

 

• from £5.55 to £5.60 for 18- to 20-year-olds

 

• from £4.00 to £4.05 for 16- to 17-year-olds

 

• from £3.40 to £3.50 for apprentices

 

Alliance chief executive Neil Leitch criticise the government's lack of action on early years funding in the autumn statement, especially in light of the increases.

 

"With the 'national living wage' set to increase to £7.50 next year, and growing pressure from other rising business costs such as pensions and national insurance contributions, many providers will struggle to simply stay afloat if chronic underfunding is not addressed," he said.