Pay, the National Minimum Wage, tax and national insurance

National Minimum Wage

Employers must pay you at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW) if you have reached the official school leaving date

The National Minimum Wage rates are reviewed every April.

From 1 April 2024 the NMW is:

  • Apprentice - £6.40 an hour
  • Age 16-17 - £6.40 an hour
  • Age 18-20 - £8.60 an hour
  • Age 21+ - £11.44 an hour (National Living Wage).

Most employers pay more.

If you are not receiving the National Minimum Wage, contact the ACAS Helpline: 0300 123 1100 for help and advice.

Income tax and National Insurance

Once you earn over a certain amount you will have to pay Income Tax and National Insurance. Your employer will take this money out of your pay before you receive your wage. How much you pay depends on how much you earn.

Your employer will ask you for your National Insurance (NI) number when you start work. This is a personal number you will receive around your 16th birthday. It is very important, you will be asked for it throughout your working life. If you haven’t got one by the end of June in Year 11, call the NI Registration Helpline on 0300 200 3500.

For more information visit the GOV.UK website.

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