Labour Research (November 2011)

Law Queries

Minimum wage

Q. Quite a number of our members’ pay is at the level of the minimum wage. The employer has imposed a pay freeze for everyone but shouldn’t at least those on the lowest levels of pay have received an increase?

A. Yes, as of 1 October the national minimum wage increased. The main rate (for workers aged 21 and over) is now £6.08 an hour.

Workers aged between 18 and 20 are entitled to a minimum of £4.98 an hour — with 16- to 17-year-olds receiving just £3.68 an hour.

However, bear in mind that apprentices under 19, or 19 and over who are in their first year of apprenticeship, are only entitled to £2.60 an hour.

The only way that sums can be offset against the national minimum wage is where the employer provides workers’ accommodation.

Therefore, irrespective of the employer imposing a pay freeze, individuals will be entitled to a pay rise to bring them up to at least the levels described above.


This information is copyright to the Labour Research Department (LRD) and may not be reproduced without the permission of the LRD.