The draft statutory instrument, raising the adult minimum wage to £5.35ph from 1 October 2006, has been laid before Parliament.
It also increases the minimum wage to £4.45ph for 18-21 year olds, and to £3.30 for 16-17 year olds.
The increases will affect 1.3 million workers, and were recommended by the Low Pay Commission last year.
The National Minimum Wage is excluded from age discrimination legislation which comes into force at the same time.
