These Regulations amend the National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 and come into force on 1st October 2005. They increase the principal rate of the national minimum wage from £4.85 to £5.05 per hour. They also increase to £4.25 per hour the rate to be paid to those workers (primarily aged between 18 and 21) who currently qualify for the national minimum wage at the rate of £4.10 per hour. The hourly rate for workers aged below 18 who have ceased to be of compulsory school age is unchanged by these Regulations.