The National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is the minimum pay per hour most workers under the age of 25 are entitled to by law.

The government's National Living Wage (NLW) is the minimum pay per hour most workers aged 25 and over are entitled to by law.The rate will depend on a worker's age and if they are an apprentice.

HMRC (HM Revenue & Customs) can take employers to court for not paying the NMW/NLW. The rates are reviewed annually by the Low Pay Commission.

New rates from 1st April 2019

• £8.21 per hour for ages 25 and over.
• £7.70 per hour for ages 21 to 24.
• £6.15 per hour for ages 18 to 20.
• £4.35 per hour for school leaving age to 17.
• £3.90 per hour for apprentices.

Exemptions to the rates
There are a number of people who are not entitled to the NMW or NLW - the do not apply to the self employed, volunteers or voluntary workers, company directors, members of the armed forces, work experience students (dependant on the length of their placement).

Other workers including pieceworkers, home workers, agency workers, commission workers, part-time workers and casual workers must receive at least the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage.