Should I ask for a pay rise? NMW linked

[huglessduglas]

I work as a Trainee Accounts Technician - Just about to sit my exams. I work in a busy accounts office and am responsible for all the billing, vat returns, credit cards, expenses etc.

I currently earn £17k which is £8.71 ph
NMW is set to go up in April from £7.83 to £8.21 and this will mean there will be 50p per hour difference in wage rate between me and a minimum wage worker.
I haven't had a pay rise in 2 years so is it reasonable to ask that my pay-rate increases in line with the NMW increase so 88p per hour which would increase my salary by £1,716 to £18,716
or should i wait until I have my exam results - wont be until July?

I don't won't to get laughed out of my bosses office for asking for a 10% increase but at the same time I do not want to undervalue my worth?

I’d wait until July and base it on the qualification, not change in NMW.

By your logic, the company should put everyone’s wage up by 38p an hour because NMW has increased, and that’s not likely to happen.

This is an unintended consequence of the rises in NMW over the past few years.

Jobs that used to pay quite a bit over NMW now pay hardly anything above, as the jobs that included extra responsibilty or qualification requirements haven't seen the same percentage, or even straight money increase, so people doing those jobs feel that they aren't been rewarded well enough for the extra they have to give.

The only thing you can probably do is ask for a pay rise when you become qualified, and if it is refused, look for a better paid job elsewhere.

Definelty wait till your results.