The minimum wage is rising again in a few weeks’ time
From April, millions across Britain could see a financial uplift of up to approximately £975 landing in their accounts as the minimum wage is due to rise. The minimum wage represents the lowest hourly payment that employers must legally provide to their workforce.
How much people must be paid varies according to age, with the minimum wage covering both full-time and part-time employees. Eligibility for the National Minimum Wage begins at school leaving age, while the National Living Wage is available to workers aged 21 and above.
Come April, the National Living Wage for individuals aged 21 and over will climb from £12.21 to £12.71 hourly. At the same time, minimum wages for 18 to 20-year-olds and those under 18 will rise from £10 to £10.50 and from £7.55 to £8, respectively.
The apprentice rate will similarly increase from £7.55 to £8 hourly. Apprentices either under 19 or aged 19 and above in their first apprenticeship year receive the apprentice rate, while those over 19 who’ve finished their first year qualify for the appropriate minimum wage for their age bracket.
For full-time staff aged over 21, this uplift works out at around an additional £975 annually. However, certain categories of workers cannot claim the minimum wage:
- members of the armed forces
- self-employed people operating their own businesses
- workers on government pre-apprenticeship schemes
- workers participating in a government employment programme, such as the Work Programme
- workers below school leaving age (typically 16)
- people shadowing others at work
- prisoners
- family members of the employer living in the employer’s home.
- participants in the following European Union (EU) programmes: Leonardo da Vinci, Erasmus+, Comenius.
- individuals living and working in a religious community
- company directors
- people working on a Jobcentre Plus Work trial for up to 6 weeks.
- higher and further education students on work experience or a work placement up to one year
- share fishermen
- volunteers or voluntary workers
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
