The National Minimum Wage (NMW) was introduced under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998. The level of the National Minimum Wage is increased on the 1st April every year. The National Living Wage (NLW) came into force on the 1st April 2016 as a result of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2016. The level of the National Living Wage will also be increased on the 1st April every year. Those 21 years old and over must be paid at least the National Living Wage. Those 20 years old and under must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage. The current rates for both the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage are:-
- The rate for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour
- The rate for workers aged 18-20 inclusive is £10.85 per hour
- The rate for 16-17 year olds inclusive is £8.00 an hour
- The apprentice rate, for apprentices under 19 or 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship, is £8.00 an hour
- The daily rate for the accommodation offset is £11.10
