New rules coming into force next month will penalise employers who fail to pay workers the national minimum wage.The current national minimum wage for adults is £6.31 an hour, having risen by 12p an hour in October. The rate for 18-to-20-year-olds is £5.03 an hour and £3.72 an hour for the 16-to-17-year-olds.Under the new rules, the maximum fine for anyone failing to pay the national minimum wage will increase from £5,000 to £20,000. Employers who abuse the system also face being named and shamed by the UK tax authority. Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Paying anything less than this is unacceptable, illegal and will be punished by law.“So we are bringing in tougher financial penalties to crack down on those who do not play by the rules. The message is clear – if you break the law, you will face action.”The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.Setfords Solicitors are a national full service law firm, with employment law Solicitors in Hempstead and across the country.