On-Money

The minimum wage is to increase by 17p to £5.52 an hour, an increase of 3%

The rate for 18 to 21 year olds will rise 15p to £4.60 an hour, while for 16 to 17 year olds it goes up 10p to £3.40.

Dave Prentis of the health union Unison, said that the adult rate should have been set at a minimum of £6 an hour.

But John Cridland of the Confederation of British Industry, was in favour of the governments restraint with the increases.

Popularity: 1% [?]

British Gas has agreed, after growing pressure, to scrap its controversial £5 late payment fee.

The company, which has lost a million customers over the past year, was attacked by consumer groups for introducing the outrageous charge.

The fee would have applied from March 1st, to customers who pay by cheque or cash and who do not settle their bills within 28 days.

Approximately 6 million British Gas customers pay their bills this way, with the remainder paying by direct debit.

Popularity: 24% [?]