The changes are expected to benefit more than 1.4 million workers. The hourly rate for younger workers will also rise, and for apprentices it will go up by 20% – or 57p – to £3.30 an hour.
A 3% increase in the national minimum wage for adult workers is the biggest real-terms rise in seven years.
The rates were recommended by the Low Pay Commission, but the government has gone further than the 7p an hour increase suggested for apprentices.
The government rejected the commission’s proposed 7p an hour increase in the apprenticeship rate, choosing instead to increase it by 57p an hour.
This rate applies to apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. All other apprentices are entitled to the national minimum wage for their age.