National minimum wage

From 1 October 2015:

• the adult rate will increase by 20 pence to £6.70 per hour
• the rate for 18 to 20 year olds will increase by 17 pence to £5.30 per hour
• the rate for 16 to 17 year olds will increase by 8 pence to £3.87 per hour
• the apprentice rate will increase by 57 pence to £3.30 per hour
• the accommodation offset increases from the current £5.08 to £5.35

The rates below apply from 1 October 2014 (see below for rates from 1 October 2013) and rates are likely to change again in October 2015.

Rates from 1 October 2014

• £6.50 - the main rate for workers aged 21 and over 
• £5.13 - the 18-20 rate
• £3.79 - the 16-17 rate for workers above school leaving age but under 18
• *£2.73 - the apprentice rate, for apprentices under 19 or 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship*

*This rate is for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. All other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage for their age.

Rates from 1 October 2013

• £6.31 - the main rate for workers aged 21 and over 
• £5.03 - the 18-20 rate
• £3.68 - the 16-17 rate for workers above school leaving age but under 18
• £2.68 - the apprentice rate, for apprentices under 19 or 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship

Category of worker & Hourly rate from 1 Oct 2012

Aged 21 and above £6.19
Aged 18 to 20 inclusive £4.98
Aged under 18 (but above compulsory school age) £3.68
Apprentices aged under 19 £2.65
Apprentices aged 19 and over, but in the first year of their apprenticeship £2.65