The national minimum wage (NMW) is the minimum hourly rate that must be paid to all workers or employees in the UK between the school leaving age (usually 16) up until the age of 23.
The minimum wage increases every April. The current minimum wage rates (effective from 1 April 2022) are:
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ages 23 and over - £9.50
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21 to 22 - £9.18
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18 to 20 - £6.83
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under 18s - £4.81
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apprentices - £4.81
These are the minimum hourly rates set by law and they are subject to change on an annual basis, generally on 1 October. Workers cannot ‘contract out’ of these rates and all employers, irrespective of size, are required to pay the NMW.