On 1 April 2018 all the rates of the national minimum wage will go up. Workers should check carefully that their employer is paying them in line with the new legal requirements from that date. And it’s not just wages which will increase. If your employer pays a pension contribution which is a percentage of your pay, this will also go up as will both employer and employee national insurance contributions. So make the time to look at your payslip next month and check everything is in order. The new rates are set out below.

Eligibility

You must be at least:

• aged 25 to get the National Living Wage – the national minimum wage applies to workers aged 24 and under
• school leaving age to get the National Minimum Wage

Current rates

These rates are for the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage. The rates change every April.

Year25 and over21 to 2418 to 20Under 18ApprenticeApril 2017 (current)£7.50£7.05£5.60£4.05£3.50from 1 April 2018£7.83£7.38£5.90£4.20£3.70

Apprentices

Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they’re either:

• aged under 19
• aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship

Example: An apprentice aged 22 in the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £3.50.

Apprentices are entitled to the national minimum wage for their age if they both:

• are aged 19 or over
• have completed the first year of their apprenticeship

Example: An apprentice aged 22 who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to a minimum hourly rate of £7.05.