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National Minimum Wage

How much is the National Minimum Wage?
There are three levels to the minimum wage, as of October 2011 they are as follows:

• £6.08 an hour for workers aged 21 and over
• 4.98 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20
• £3.68 an hour for workers aged 16 to 17 who are no longer of compulsory school age
• £2.60 an hour apprentice rate, for apprentices under 19 or 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship
  

The national minimum wage is usually revised every October.

More information on how the minimum wage is set, and details of previous years' rates can be found on the Low Pay Commission website.

Who qualifies for the National Minimum Wage?

The minimum wage applies to most adult workers that

Are working legally in the UK

Are not genuinely self-employed

Have a written, oral or implied contract

What if you are not sure you are getting the correct National Minimum Wage?
The minimum wage is enforced by HM Revenue & Customs. More information on the minimum wage and HMRC's role can be found on the HMRC website.

There is a telephone helpline - 0845 6000 678 and Minicom - 0845 915 3296, available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Unite members concerned about their entitlement to the minimum wage should contact their Regional Office for advice in the first instance.