The Minimum Wage

Please refer to ‘A detailed guide to the national minimum wage’ October 2001 edition for further detail, or the Direct Gov website – www.direct.gov.uk/payandworkrights (see this website for the The Agricultural Minimum Wage, which is different to the NMW)

What is it?

The National Minimum Wage is a legal right, which covers almost all workers in the UK. It is aimed at providing employees with decent minimum standards and fairness in the workplace.

NEW - National Minimum Wage from 1st October 2011

  • 16 & 17 year olds £3.68 per hour
  • 18 - 20 year olds £4.98
  • 21+ £6.08
  • Apprentices £2.60
Age Per hour 37.5 hr week / year 40 hr week / year
16-17 £3.68 £138pw or  £7,176pa £147.20pw or £7654.40pa
18-20 £4.98 £186.75pw or £9,711pa £199.20pw or £10,358.40pa
21+ 6.08 £228pw or £11,856pa £243.20pw or £12,646.40pa
App 2.60 £97.50pw or £5,070pa £104pw or £5,408pa

 

Previous National Minimum Wage from 1st October 2010

  • 16 & 17 year olds £3.64 per hour
  • 18 - 20 year olds £4.92
  • 21+ £5.93
  • Apprentices £2.50
Age Per hour 37.5 hr week / year 40 hr week / year
16-17 £3.68 £138pw or  £7,176pa £147.20pw or £7654.40pa
18-20 £4.98 £186.75pw or £9,711pa £199.20pw or £10,358.40pa
21+ 6.08 £228pw or £11,856pa £243.20pw or £12,646.40pa
App 2.60 £97.50pw or £5,070pa £104pw or £5,408pa

 

The apprentice rate for apprentices aged 16 to 18 (or 19+ in the first year of their apprenticeship) will increase to £2.60 per hour.

Exemptions

Young People studying an Apprenticeship at age 16 to 18 are exempt from the minimum wage, however they should be paid at least £2.60 per hour or the 'going rate' for the job. If a young person is aged 19 or over when they start an Apprenticeship they are only exempt for the first 12 months and then minimum wage will have to be paid.

For further help you can call the National Minimum Wage Helpline no: 0800 917 2368.

Salary Calculator available online at: www.thesalarycalculator.co.uk/hourly.php
Last Updated on Monday, 05 September 2011 13:52