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New Minimum Wage
The Government has confirmed that it has accepted the recommendations from the Low Pay Commission (LPC) on the new rates for the National Minimum Wage, as referred to in the Budget.

The new rates, which will come into force on 1 October 2010 will be:
  • £5.93 per hour for low paid workers aged 21 and over (a 2.2% increase on the current £5.80 rate);
  • £4.92 per hour for 18-20 year olds (a 1.9% increase on the current £4.83 rate); and
  • £3.64 per hour for 16-17 year olds (a 2% increase on the current £3.57 rate).

The Government also announced that it had accepted the LPC’s recommendation to introduce an apprentice minimum wage of £2.50 per hour.  The new rate will apply to those apprentices who are under 19 or those that are aged 19 and over but in the first year of their apprenticeship.

Business Minister Pat McFadden: “Since the National Minimum Wage was introduced millions of low paid workers across the country have benefited by having their wages increased.

“The Low Pay Commission, which includes employers and Trade Union representatives, carefully considered the latest economic data and evidence before making its recommendations, balancing the needs of businesses and workers.

“Today’s recommendations provide a welcome increase for workers, but the economy is still fragile and government must continue to support the recovery in the months ahead.

“I’m also glad to see the LPC recognising the significant contribution that apprentices make to the economy. I hope this will encourage more people to take advantage of this opportunity and invest in their skills by taking up an apprenticeship.”

Low Pay Commission Chairman David Norgrove said: “We are pleased that the Government has again accepted the Commission’s recommendations.  The introduction of an apprentice rate marks an important extension to minimum wage protection across the UK.”

The Government also published its strategy for ensuring compliance with National Minimum Wage legislation over the next three to five years.

The strategy builds on the last 10 years and sets out the Government’s priorities for ensuring that workers receive the wages they are entitled to.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."