Please refer to ‘A detailed guide to the national minimum wage’ October 2001 edition for further detail (currently being modified) or refer to the website – National Minimum Wage

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.

The National Minimum wage is as follows:

From Oct 2009 it changed to:

£3.57 per hour at 16-17
£4.83 per hour at 18-21

Minimum apprenticeship wage is £95 per week.

From 1st October 2010 the minimum wage is going up again to:

16 & 17 year olds £3.64 per hour
18-20 year olds £4.92 per hour

The government also accepted a recommendation from the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to introduce an apprentice minimum wage of £2.50 per hour.

The new rate will apply to:

•apprentices under 19

•apprentices aged 19 and over, but in the first year of their apprenticeship and then they go on to the national minimum wage.

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