National Minimum Wage: How Does the Increase Affect You?

Date: 12/10/16

National Minimum Wage: How Does the Increase Affect You?

​​As the National Minimum Wage for young people in the UK has been increased by the government, we look at what the changes mean for employers, and some of the common mistakes made by business owners.

Firstly, what is the difference between the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage?

Very little – just that the National Living Wage applies to working people over the age of 25, whereas the National Minimum Wage concerns the earnings of those who are 24 and younger.

The new minimum wage rates are as follows:

  • £6.95 per hour for workers aged 21 – 24
  • £5.55 per hour for workers aged 18 – 20
  • £4.00 per hour for workers under the age of 18 who have finished compulsory education
  • £3.40 per hour for apprentices under 19 years old, or in the first year of their apprenticeship

One issue that can be easily avoided is a lack of information about wages for apprentices.

Small, owner-managed businesses have sometimes seen an apprenticeship scheme as a great way of giving a young person a start to their career, taking on young talent and paying a relatively low wage for the trouble.

When taking on an apprentice, many don’t realise that the minimum wage for an apprentice can rise significantly after one year, depending on age.  If the apprentice is aged 16 when taken on, they can be paid the apprenticeship minimum wage until they turn 19.  However, if the apprentice is 19 when taken on, after a year of employment they would be entitled to £5.55 per hour, the minimum wage for workers aged 18 to 20.

Another fact which is often overlooked by business owners who take on an apprentice is that the apprentice must be paid for time spend training or studying for a relevant qualification, whether while at work or at a training organisation.

There are risks associated with underpayment of employees: there are knock-on effects such as a potential loss of motivation and productivity, and difficulty in hiring new workers and retaining existing ones. 

Furthermore, there is potential for the firm’s reputation to be damaged, especially by the government, which has the right to ‘name and shame’ those who underpay their staff.

If you’d like to discuss the National Minimum Wage changes, how to ensure that your business is conforming to regulations, or assistance on future wage planning, please do not hesitate to contact the office.


Tim Preece FCCA

Author: Tim Preece FCCA

A former pupil at Lancaster Royal Grammar School, Tim joined Scott & Wilkinson in 1992 as a trainee after completing a degree in Maths and Economics at Leeds University and qualified as an Accountant in 1996. Tim was...

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