The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is the minimum amount that an employer can legally pay a worker. An employer paying a worker less than the relevant NMW rate could be breaking the law.

Workers aged 22 and over are entitled to £5.73 per hour. Those aged 18-21 are entitled to £4.77 per hour.

From 1st October 2004, the National Minimum Wage rules were extended to include 16 & 17 year olds. Until then, this age group did not have any protection under the NMW.

YOUNG WORKERS RATE.
Worker aged 16 & 17, and who are of compulsory school leaving age, are entitled to £3.53  per hour.
(Exemptions still apply to those on apprenticeship schemes.)

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