Minimum Wage from 1st of October 2014
The national minimum wage sets minimum hourly rates that employers must pay their workers. It covers almost all workers in the UK. There are three aged based rates and an apprentice rate.
New national minimum wage rates
There are currently three aged based national minimum wage rates and an apprentice rate, which are usually updated in October each year. As a result of an updated legislation the rates that apply from 1 October 2014 are as follows:
for workers aged 21 years or more: £6.50 per hour
for workers aged 18 to 20 inclusive: £5.13 per hour
for workers aged under 18 (but above compulsory school age): £3.79 per hour
for apprentices aged under 19: £2.73 per hour
for apprentices aged 19 and over, but in the first year of their apprenticeship: £2.73* per hour
*This rate is for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and also those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. All other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age.