National Minimum Wage 2011-12
With a few exceptions, all workers in the UK aged 16 or over are legally entitled to be paid a minimum amount per hour. This is regardless of the kind of work they do or the size and type of company. The rate is reviewed every year, and any increases take place in October.
 
What is the National Minimum Wage and who is entitled to it?
 

Who can get the National Minimum Wage?

 
Almost everyone who works in the UK is legally entitled to be paid the National Minimum Wage. This is the case even if an employer asks a worker to sign an employment contract at a lower rate of pay. It isn't necessary to be in full-time employment, or to work at an employer's premises. For example, you're entitled to receive the national minimum wage if you're:
  • employed by an agency
  • a homeworker
  • a part-time worker
  • a casual worker
  • a pieceworker
  • a worker on a short-term contract
However, you are not entitled to receive the national minimum wage if you are:
  • a worker under school leaving age
  • genuinely self-employed
  • some apprentices
  • an au pair
  • in the armed services
  • a voluntary worker 

National Minimum Wage rates from 1 October 2011

From 1 October 2011, the National Minimum Wage rates are:
  • £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 those older than school-leaving age and younger than 18 (someone is under school-leaving age until the end of summer term of the school year in which they turn 16)
  • The apprentice rate, for apprentices under 19 or 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship is £2.60.


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