National Minimum Wage 2011 - 2012
The UK national
minimum wage is aimed at providing employees with decent minimum living
standards. It is illegal for an employer to pay less than the minimum
wage. Children and young workers aged 16 and 17 are now covered by the
minimum wage. The hourly rates shown below are the minimum amount of pay
that workers aged 16 years or older are entitled to.
There are currently three levels of minimum wage:
Adults already on the minimum wage
will receive the following rates:
|
Date |
Age |
Minimum Rate Per Hour |
|
|
|
|
|
From 1st October
2011 |
19 and over during the first year of Apprenticeship** |
£2.60 |
|
From 1st October
2011 |
16 - 17 years old |
£3.68 |
|
From 1st October
2011 |
18 - 20 years old |
£4.98 |
|
From 1st October
2011 |
21 and over |
£6.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
From 1st October
2010 |
19 and over during the first year of Apprenticeship** |
£2.50 |
|
From 1st October
2010 |
16 - 17 years old |
£3.64 |
|
From 1st October
2010 |
18 - 20 years old |
£4.92 |
|
From 1st October
2010 |
21 and over * |
£5.93 |
**The apprentice rate of £2.60 per hour (previously £2.50) is for apprentices aged 19 and over in the first year of their apprenticeship or anyone
aged 19 or under.
* (for workers aged 22+ until 2010 when this rate applied to those aged 21+)
Employees Rights
Please note that employees over 21 on accredited training can also
receive the development rate for the first six months of employment.
The development rate, which applies to workers aged 18-21
inclusive, is £4.83 per hour starting a new job with a new employer
and doing an accredited training course approved by the UK
Government to obtain a vocational qualification.
It is illegal for an employer to pay less than the minimum wage.
The six potential criminal offences under section 31 of the NMW Act are:
- Employer refuses or wilfully neglects to pay NMW
- Person fails to keep or preserve records
- Person knowingly causes or allows false entry in records
- Person produces or furnishes false records or information
- Person delays or obstructs compliance officer
- Person refuses or neglects to answer any questions or produce
documents for compliance officer
Each criminal offence carries a maximum £5,000 fine and a criminal
record.
http://www.berr.gov.uk/employment/pay/national-minimum-wage/
Minimum wage helpline -
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/nmw/help.htm
Low Pay Commission -
http://www.lowpay.gov.uk/
This page was last updated
24/11/2011
| 