The National Minimum Wage                             

The minimum wage is a legal right which covers almost all workers above compulsory school leaving age.

From the 1st October 2007 the following National Minimum Wage pay rates will apply:

Aged 16 and 17: Young workers aged 16 or 17, who have ceased to be of compulsory school age must be paid at least £3.40 per hour. (exceptions apply - see below).

Aged 18-21 inclusive: Workers aged between 18 and 21 inclusive must be paid a development* rate of at least £4.60 per hour. (exceptions apply - see below).

Aged 22 and over: Workers over the age of 22 must be paid at least £5.52 per hour. (exceptions apply - see below).

          The National Minimum Wage does not apply to:

• Certain trainees on government training schemes.
• Apprentices under the age of 19.
• Apprentices over 19 and in the first 12 months of their apprenticeship will not qualify for the national minimum wage.
  
  NOTE: All workers aged 22 and over who qualify for the national minimum wage will be entitled to the current rate of £5.52 per hour. This applies even where the worker was previously in receipt of the development rate for those aged 22 and over and had been receiving that rate for less than 6 months.
  

Apprenticeship Pay:

• There is a Learning and Skills Council (government) requirement that "employed" apprentices should be paid a minimum of £80 per week for full time work.
• Sometimes there are agreed rates for certain stages of an apprenticeship. This means you may get pay increases when you have a birthday, achieve a qualification or reach a certain standard.
• Minimum wage rules do not apply to all stages of an apprenticeship.
• Pay may vary depending on your “status” as an apprentice.
  

          Need more information on minimum wage?  See below...

If you have any questions about the National Minimum wage ring the national helpline on 0845 6000 678 or visit www.dti.gov.uk/employment/pay/.

To find out more about the minimum wage please visit the Revenue and Customs website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/nmw

For advice about the minimum wage call into your Local Connexions Centre or ring us FREE on 0800 073 8700and ask for the vacancy team.

You can also CLICK HERE to contact us on-line.

You can find out more about working time regulations which covers issues such as rest breaks, right to time off and working limits by visiting the DTI's website at www.dti.gov.uk/employment/employment-legislation/.

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