Minimum Wage
The National Minimum Wage Act 1998 created a minimum wage across the UK.
The hourly rate for the minimum wage depends on your age and whether you’re an apprentice and it changes every 1 April.
The hourly rate that is paid depends on the age of the worker and if they are an apprentice.
The current rates are (1st April 2024):
- National Living Wage - 21 years old and over - £11.44
- £8.60 per hour -18 - 20 yrs old
- £6.40 per hour - under 18 yrs old
- £6.40 for apprentices under 19 or 19 or over who are in the first year of apprenticeship.
The rates will change every April. For more information on the National Minimum Wage visit HMRC.
What should I do if I think I’ve been underpaid the minimum wage?
Approach your employer in the first instance to try to sort things out.
If that doesn’t work, you may want to report your employer. You can do this by registering a complaint with HMRC by completing the pay and work rights complaint form online. This only takes 5 minutes. If you would prefer to speak to someone, call us on 03300 555 300 for free and confidential advice.
If HMRC do investigate your employer and find that you have been underpaid, they will instruct your employer to pay you the money you are owed.
You can report your employer even if you no longer work for that employer.