MORE than a million workers are to benefit with an increase in the minimum wage.

The National Minimum Wage main rate for workers aged 22 and over has been increased to £4.20 an hour, and the development rate for 18-21 year olds to £3.60 an hour.

A four-week publicity campaign is publicising details of the new rates. Workers are being encouraged to ring the minimum wage helpline on 0845 6000 678 or visit the website www.tiger.gov.uk if they believe they are being underpaid.

Employers who want more information on the rate rise can also call the helpline or log onto the website.

Welcoming the new rates, Alan Johnson, Employment Relations Minister, said, "The minimum wage increase will benefit more than one million low paid people in the UK and have a real impact on the lives of millions of families across the country.

The regions with the highest number of complaints of non-payment of the minimum wage in 2001-02 were the North West (207) and Yorkshire and Humberside (180).

It is estimated that around 70% of the beneficiaries of the minimum wage are women.

The minimum wage helpline has responded to more than 275,000 enquiries and handled over 7,500 complaints about non-payment of the minimum wage since1 April 1999.