The National Minimum Wage
What are the current rates of the national minimum wage?
Rates from 1 October 2011
The NMW rates are reviewed each year by the Low Pay Commission and from 1 October 2011:
- the main rate for workers aged 21 and over will increase to £6.08
- the 18-20 rate will increase to £4.98
- the 16-17 rate for workers above school leaving age but under 18 will increase to £3.68
- the apprentice rate, for apprentices under 19 or 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship will increase to £2.60
Entitlement to the NMW
Most workers in the UK over school leaving age are legally entitled to be paid at least the NMW and all employers have to pay it to you if you are entitled to it. It makes no difference:
- if you are paid weekly or monthly, by cheque, in cash or in another way
- if you work full time, part time or any other working pattern
- if you work at your employer’s own premises or elsewhere
- what size your employer is
- where you work in the UK
You are entitled to the NMW even if you sign a contract agreeing to be paid at a lower rate. This is regardless of whether you sign of your own free will or because your employer persuades or makes you. The contract will have no legal effect and you must still be paid the proper rate.
If you are not sure if you should be paid at least the NMW read the 'Workers entitled to the National Minimum Wage' and 'Who is not entitled to the National Minimum Wage' pages.
Compulsory school age
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.
In Scotland: pupils whose 16th birthday falls between 1 March and 30 September may not leave before the 31 May of that year. Pupils aged 16 on or between 1 October and the last day of February may not leave until the start of the Christmas holidays in that school year.
In Northern Ireland: a person is no longer of compulsory school age after the 30th June of the school year in which their 16th birthday occurs.
