Now standing at £5.73 for those aged 22 and over, the minimum wage has helped millions of UK workers get an honest day's pay for an honest day's work. And 93,000 people in the East Midlands have benefited from the most recent increase in October 2008.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:
"The minimum wage has been a huge success for 10 years and is there to help make sure that workers are treated fairly, whatever the economic climate
"We are determined to protect the rights that everyone in the UK is entitled to - this is a basic matter of fairness and helps ensure a level playing field for business.
"Before it was introduced, there was no limit on how little employees could be paid and I am sure that no-one could now imagine a return to those times.
"Our new penalties mean that anyone caught underpaying their employees faces an automatic penalty - no-one can ignore their responsibilities."
The adult rate of the minimum wage has risen by 59% since its introduction in April 1999 - from £3.60 to the current rate of £5.73. Around one million people benefit each time the rate rises.
Automatic penalties for employers who underpay come into force on 6th April, ensuring that anyone caught flouting the law faces a stiff penalty.
The most serious cases of non-compliance will be able to go to trial in a Crown Court, which will have the power to impose an unlimited penalty.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
"The minimum wage has helped raise the living standards of thousands of families across the UK since its introduction in 1999.
"It has been an integral part of making the UK a fairer society and is an important part of protecting some of Britain's most vulnerable citizens. We must continue to work together to develop the minimum wage, which has a vital part to play in shaping the economy of the future.
"We welcome the introduction of the new penalties, which will help to ensure that there is no hiding place for rogue employers underpaying their staff. We are absolutely determined to ensure that every worker can get what they are due."
Today also sees new annual leave rules come into force, raising the statutory entitlement for all UK workers from 24 days to 28 days a year.
A phased approach to extending annual leave rights means businesses have been preparing for today's change since 2007.
