National Minimum Wage Changes

From 1 October 2009 the new National Minimum Wage rates are:

Workers aged 22 years and older £5.80 per hour.

Workers aged 18 -21 years £4.83 per hour, and

All workers under 18 years who are no longer of compulsory school age, £3.57 per hour.

HM Revenue & Customs are responsible for monitoring the National Minimum Wage. It is they who will fine you if you fail to pay the correct rates. Currently fines are 50% of the underpayment due to workers subject to a minimum £100 fine and maximum £5,000 fine.

From 1 October 2009 employers cannot use tips to make up wages to the National Minimum Wage, regardless of whether employees receive them through the payroll or in some other way.