The National Minimum Wage will rise tomorrow (1 October) from £5.52 to £5.73 an hour for those over 21.

In other changes – announced by Gordon Brown in March this year – 18 to 21-year-olds will see their wages increase from £4.60 to £4.77, while 16 to 17-year-olds will see an increase from £3.40 to £3.53.

When it was first announced, a spokesperson for the British Hospitality Association said the rise came as no surprise, but above inflation rises could put pressure on the industry.

"The increase was much as we expected - an increase of 3.8 per cent - but it has increased by 59 per cent since it was first introduced in 1999," he said.

"At a time of some current concern in the economy, employers need to continue to keep a tight control on wage costs."