MORE than 150,000 workers in the South East will gain from a pay rise from October 1 as new rates for the National Minimum wage come into force that will benefit over two million workers nationally.

The adult rate is increasing from £4.50 to £4.85 and the 18 to 21-year-olds' wage rises to £4.10. And for the first time 16 and 17-year-olds who are no longer of compulsory school age will be paid at least £3 per hour.

Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry said: "We want to protect all workers from exploitative rates of pay. The National Minimum Wage has gone a long way to achieving this without having a negative impact on employment or the economy.

"The new rate for 16 and 17 year olds extends protection to another vulnerable group of people. We want young people to stay in education or training but we must ensure that those who do choose to work are not exploited.

"We are committed to eradicating poverty pay and today's new rates are another big step towards turning that aim into a reality."

Rule changes also mean added protection for people who work from home. More than 100,000 homeworkers will be better off by thousands of pounds per year under new rules linking their pay rates to the National Minimum Wage.

Ms Hewitt added: "The change to the homeworking rules will protect people who work in an industry that has a history of exploitative rates of pay, especially minority ethnic and women workers."