If you need help or advice the National
Minimum Wage Helpline can assist employees, employers and
any other interested parties. You can also call the helpline if
you want to make a complaint about an employer you suspect is
not paying the minimum wage. The helpline is open Monday to Friday
9.00am to 5.00pm and all calls are taken in strict confidence.
Telephone: 0845 6000 678 Minicom: 0845 915 3296
Welcome to the Low Pay Commission
The Low Pay Commission (LPC) was established
as a result of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 to advise the Government
about the National Minimum Wage.
New Terms of Reference
The Government has asked the Commission to prepare a further report on the operation of the National Minimum Wage
In carrying out our remit, the Commission
is keen to consult widely and to hear the views of all who have been affected
by the minimum wage, particularly those with direct experience of its impact.
This year the written consultation exercise is in two parts. For more details click here.
We want to gain a thorough understanding of how the minimum wage apprentice
exemptions are working in practice and would be very interested to hear your
views on this or any other issue in relation to apprentices that you feel is
relevant.
The deadline for responses on apprentices is Friday 8 August 2008.
In the Commission’s last two reports, it restricted its recommendations on the
minimum wage rates to one year only. This year it has been asked to make
recommendations for changes to the minimum wage in October 2009 and October
2010. We would appreciate evidence covering this two year period.
The deadline for responses on all matters relating to the minimum wage except
apprentices is Friday 3 October 2008.
New Employers' Survey Tender
The Commission is inviting tenders for its 2008 Survey of Employers in Low-paying Sectors. To view the research specification click here.
The deadline for submission of tenders is 19 May 2008.
Historical Rates
Adult Rate (for workers aged
22+)
Development Rate (for workers aged
18-21)
16-17 Year Olds Rate*
1 Apr 1999
£3.60
1 Apr 1999
£3.00
-
-
1 Oct 2000
£3.70
1 Oct 2000
£3.20
-
-
1 Oct 2001
£4.10
1 Oct 2001
£3.50
-
-
1 Oct 2002
£4.20
1 Oct 2002
£3.60
-
-
1 Oct 2003
£4.50
1 Oct 2003
£3.80
-
-
1 Oct 2004
£4.85
1 Oct 2004
£4.10
1 Oct 2004
£3.00
1 Oct 2005
£5.05
1 Oct 2005
£4.25
1 Oct 2005
£3.00
1 Oct 2006
£5.35
1 Oct 2006
£4.45
1 Oct 2006
£3.30
1 Oct 2007
£5.52
1 Oct 2007
£4.60
1 Oct 2007
£3.40
1 Oct 2008
£5.73
1 Oct 2008
£4.77
1 Oct 2008
£3.53
Compulsory School Age
* In England and Wales: a person is no longer
of compulsory school age after the last Friday of June of the
school year in which their 16th birthday occurs.
* In Northern Ireland: a person is no longer
of compulsory school age after the 30th June of the school year
in which their 16th birthday occurs.
* In Scotland: pupils whose 16th birthday
falls between 1st March and 30th September may not leave before
the 31st May of that year. Pupils aged 16 on or between 1st
October and the last day of February may not leave until the
start of the Christmas holidays in that school year.'
