The national minimum wage

Updating author: Nicky Stibbs

XpertHR editor: Zuraida Curtis

Summary

• The law relating to the national minimum wage is governed by the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 and the National Minimum Wage Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/621).
• The majority of workers older than compulsory school age qualify to receive the national minimum wage. (See Eligibility for the national minimum wage)
• There are five rates of payment for the national minimum wage. (See Rate of the national minimum wage)
• There is a specific process for calculating whether or not an employee has been paid the national minimum wage. (See Amount payable)
• Employers must keep records that show that they have paid their workers the national minimum wage. (See National minimum wage records)
• Employers that fail to comply with national minimum wage rules may be subject to criminal prosecution, penalties and being publicly named. (See National minimum wage enforcement)