Don’t forget – New national minimum wage and national living wage from 1st April
National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates change every April. The current minimum wage rates are in effect from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.
The National Living Wage rate of £8.91 has been extended to those aged 23 years old and over from 1 April 2021.
Minimum wage rates
The minimum wage rates for 2021-22 are:
| Age | Minimum Wage Rates from 1 April 2021 |
|---|---|
| 23 years old and over | £8.91 |
| 21-22 years old | £8.36 |
| 18-20 years old | £6.56 |
| 16-17 years old | £4.62 |
| Apprentices | £4.30* |
*Apprentices under the age of 19 years old or aged 19 years old or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship are entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £4.15 per hour (this rate does not apply to Higher Level Apprenticeships).
Apprentices are entitled to the minimum wage for their age if they are aged 19 years or over and have completed the first year of their apprenticeship.
Who is entitled to be paid the minimum wage rate?
As an employer you have a legal obligation to pay your workers the correct minimum wage rate at the very least. Ensure you understand who must be paid the minimum wage. Some people like the self-employed are not entitled to the minimum wage. For more guidance see self-employed and the minimum wage and National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage – who is not entitled to it.
Employer requirements for the minimum wage
If a worker is entitled to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, you must pay them at least the rate they are entitled to for the hours of work that qualify. You cannot make an agreement with a worker to pay them less than the minimum wage rate.
Which minimum wage rate applies to a worker?
You need to know which minimum wage rate applies to a worker – based on their entitlement at the start of each pay reference period. The minimum wage rate that applies to a worker is the rate they are entitled to on the first day of the pay reference period. For more information about pay reference periods see National Minimum Wage and Living Wage pay reference period.
