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Almost all UK workers have a legal right to a minimum level of pay, called the National Minimum Wage. The level is set by the government each year based on the recommendations of the independent Low Pay Commission (LPC).
What is the National Minimum Wage?
With a few exceptions, all workers in the UK aged 16 or over are legally entitled to be paid a minimum amount per hour. This is regardless of the kind of work they do or the size and type of company. The rate is reviewed every year, and any increases take place in October.
How much is the National Minimum Wage?
There are different levels of National Minimum Wage, depending on the age of the worker. At present, they are as follows:
adults (which means people aged 21 and over) receive the full rate of £6.08 an hour.
a 'development rate' of £4.98 an hour is paid to workers aged 18 to 20 inclusive.
young people (those older than school leaving age and younger than 18, you're under school leaving age until the end of summer term of the school year in which you turn 16) receive £3.68 an hour.
apprenticies (under 19 years old and those over 19 year old and in their first year of their apprenticeship) receive a rate of £2.60 an hour.
Who can get the National Minimum Wage?
Almost everyone who works in the UK is legally entitled to be paid the National Minimum Wage. This is the case even if an employer asks a worker to sign an employment contract at a lower rate of pay. It isn't necessary to be in full-time employment, or to work at an employer's premises. For example, you're entitled to receive the minimum wage if you're:
- employed by an agency
- a homeworker
- a part-time worker
- a casual worker
- a pieceworker
- a worker on a short-term contract
However, you are not entitled to receive the minimum wage if you're:
- a worker under school leaving age
- genuinely self-employed
- an au pair
- in the armed services
- a voluntary worker
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