The minimum wage is a legal right which covers almost all workers above compulsory school leaving age.

There are different minimum wage rates for different groups of workers as follows:

  • The main rate for workers aged 22 and over is currently set at £5.52 an hour. On 1 October 2008 this will increase to £5.73
  • The development rate for 18-21 year olds is currently set at £4.60 an hour this will increase to £4.77 on 1 October 2008
  • The development rate for 16-17 years olds. This rate is £3.40 an hour. This will increase on 1 October 2008 to £3.53 an hour
  • On 1 October 2008 the rate of the accommodation offset will increase to £31.22 per week (£4.46 per day). The current rate is £30.10 per week (£4.15 per day)

It is important to note that these new rates only apply to pay reference periods beginning on or after the date they came into law

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