Designed By: Lancashire Data Solutions

National Minimum Wage

With a few exceptions, all workers in the UK aged 16 or over are legally entitled to be paid a minimum amount per hour. This is regardless of the kind of work they do or the size and type of company. The rate is reviewed every year, and any increases take place in October.

New National Minimum Wage rates from 1 October 2010

• £5.93 an hour for workers aged 21 and over
• £4.92 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20  
• £3.64 an hour for workers aged 16 to 17

Apprentice Minimum Wage - £2.50 an hour

The government has accepted a recommendation from the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to introduce an apprentice minimum wage of £2.50 per hour. The new rate will apply to apprentices under 19 and apprentices aged 19 and over, but in the first year of their apprenticeship.

National Minimum Wage - Entitled Workers

• employed by an agency
• a homeworker
• a part-time worker
• a casual worker
• a pieceworker
• a worker on a short-term contract

National Minimum Wage - Non Entitled Workers

• a worker under school leaving age
• genuinely self-employed
• some apprentices
• an au pair
• in the armed services
• a voluntary worker

Holiday Entitlements - The Basics

From 1 April 2009 all workers have a statutory right to at least 5.6 week’s paid annual leave (that is at least 28 days’ paid holiday if you work five days a week).  Your employer could choose to include bank holidays in the 5.6 weeks.

The Basics of Holiday Rights

There is a minimum right to paid holiday, but your employer may offer more that this.  The main things you should know about holiday rights are:

• Your are entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks times your working week
• Those working part time are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata (so 5.6 times your usual working week)
• You start building up holiday as soon as you start work
• Your employer can control  when you take your holiday
• You get paid your normal pay for your holiday
• When you finish a job, you get paid for any holiday you have not taken
• Bank and public holidays can be included in your minimum entitlement
• You continue to be entitled to your holiday leave throughout your ordinary and additional maternity leave and paternity and adoption leave

Calculating Holiday Entitlement