Homepage > Money > Low Pay/Minimum Wage
- What is the National Minimum Wage?
- How much is the minimum wage?
- Are there any exceptions to the minimum wage?
- Holidays
- Help lines
What is the National Minimum Wage?
The government set the level of the National Minimum Wage each year based on recommendations received from the independent Low Pay Commission. Employees have a legal right to a minimum level of pay per hour. This is regardless of the type of work or size of the company.
The National Minimum Wage is reviewed every year based on the cost of living and any increases take place in October.
16-17 year olds -£3.53 (as long as the employee has completed year 11 at school. In England and Wales a person is no longer of compulsory school age after the last Friday of June of the school year in which their 16th birthday occurs)
Young people who are studying full time at school or college after year 11 can apply for up to £30 a week through Education Maintenance Allowances.
18-21 year olds - £4.77
22 onwards - £5.73
Are there any exceptions to the minimum wage?
The minimum rate does not apply to apprenticeships as these are specific training programmes which give apprentices the skills and qualifications they need for a specific job. However, under Learning and Skills Council rules you should receive £80 a week and many employers already pay young apprentices above the current minimum rate.
The minimum wage does not apply to:
- a worker under school leaving age
- someone who is self-employed
- a person in the armed services
- voluntary work
- an au pair
A full time employee should receive 24 days paid holiday, which includes bank holidays. Some employers however may be able to pay you extra instead of the additional holidays.
National Minimum Wage Help Line – 0845 6000 678 (Mon-Fri 8.00am to 6.00pm)
Connexions-Direct – 080 800 13 2 19
DTI - Minimum Wage
The Department of Trade and Industry website gives information on the legal aspects of the minimum wage.
Low Pay Commission
Information and advice about the minimum wage and how it affects you.
Trouble at Work
Helps people when things go wrong at work. Includes a section about fair pay.
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