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National minimum wage

This article summarizes your legal right to earn the National Minimum Wage (NMW), which are hourly rates that the government sets each year.

 

The National Minimum Wage laws apply to nearly all workers regardless of the type of work they do or the size or type of company they work for. You don't have to be working full time, or on employers' premises.

 

So you can get the NMW if you are:

  • employed by an agency
  • a home worker
  • a part time worker
  • a casual worker
  • a piece worker
  • a worker on a short term contract

Note that you are not necessarily entitled to the NMW if you are:

  • a worker under the school leaving age
  • genuinely self-employed
  • in some types of apprenticeships
  • an au pair
  • in the armed services
  • a voluntary worker.

And agricultural workers have separate pay rates, set by the Agricultural Wages Board.

 

The Low Pay Commission, an independent advisory body, monitors the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and advises the government on rates.

 

NMW rates

 

The National Minimum Wage was introduced in 1999. It has been increased each year since.

 

The current rates (from 1 October 2008) are:

  • main (adult) rate for workers aged 22 and over: £5.73 an hour
  • development rate for workers aged 18-21 inclusive: £4.77 an hour
  • development rate for workers aged 16-17 inclusive: £3.53 an hour

 

To find out how the National Minimum Wage applies to you, you can consult the following website:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/index.htm

 

You can also download the National Minimum Wage Guide (Revised September 2008) from the website of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) at:

http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file47736.pdf

 

 

You may also wish to contact:

 

The National Minimum Wage Enquiries Helpline:

Tel: 0845 6000 678

(This is also the number to phone if you think you are being underpaid and wish to make a complaint)

Minicom: 0845 915 3296

 

The Low Pay Commission
6th Floor

Kingsgate House

67-74 Victoria Street

London
SW1E 6SW
Tel: 020 7215 8459

E-mail: lpc@lowpay.gov.uk

Web : http://www.lowpay.gov.uk