National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage Increases

The National Minimum Wage is for employees under the age of 25, and the National Living Wage is for people over 25.

The new rates are: - £8.21 per hour — 25 years old and over - £7.70 per hour — 21–24 years old - £6.15 per hour — 18–20 years old - £4.35 per hour — 16–17 years old - £3.90 for apprentices under 19 or in the first year of apprenticeship

It is a criminal offence for employers to not pay someone the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage. The penalty for non-payment is 200% of the amount owed unless arrears are paid within 14 days. The maximum fine is £20,000 per worker, and employers who fail to pay may be banned from being a company director for up to 15 years.