National minimum wage (NMW)
The current NMW rates are as follows:
| Age | 21 and over | 18-20 | 16 and 17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| From 1 October 2010 | £5.93 | £4.92 | £3.64 |
An apprentice rate of £2.50 applies to apprentices under 19, or those 19 and over in the first year of apprenticeship.
The Government has launched a new scheme to publicly expose employers who deliberately pay their staff less than the NMW. Under the scheme, which came into effect on 1 January 2011, defaulting employers may have their breaches publicised by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
