Employment Rules and Legislation
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:

• 16 and 17 year olds Rising from £3.30 an hour to £3.40 per hour from Oct 2007.
• 18-21 year olds Rising from £4.45 an hour to £4.60 from Oct 2007.
• 22+ Rising from £5.35 an hour to £5.52 from Oct 2007.

Exemptions

Young People studying an Apprenticeship at age 16 and 17 are exempt from the minimum wage, however they should be paid the 'going rate' for the job which should be no less than £80 per week. If a young person is aged 18 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.

Government funded trainees do not count as workers as they are not considered to be in employed status and are therefore not entitled to the National Minimum Wage. The Self-employed are also exempt.

For full information you can call the National Minimum Wage Helpline: 0845 6000678.