The national minimum wage increases on 1 October, to £5.73 per hour for workers aged 22 and over, £4.77 per hour for workers aged 18-21, and £3.53 per hour for workers aged 16-17.http://www.berr.gov.uk/employment/pay/national-minimum-wage

National Voices is a new umbrella organisation bringing together national voluntary organisations representing users of health and social care.http://www.nationalvoices.org.uk

This is available online at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/ce/newsletter . Stories this month include information on: the fourth series of the newly accredited Certificate in Campaigning, new project Count Me In – Involving beneficiaries and users in campaigning and the date for the NCVO Policy Forum Christmas social.