Every year, on 1st April, the National Minimum and National Living wage change.
The hourly rate for the minimum wage depends on the age of the worker ( must be 16 years old to get the National Minimum wage or 25 years old and over to get the National Living wage) and wether they are an apprentice.
The National Living wage is just another term used for the National Minimum wage for workers aged 25 and over and hasn't got anything to do with the Living wage.
The new rates from 1st April 2018 are as follows:
| 25 and over | 21 to 24 | 18 to 20 | Under 18 | Apprentice |
| £7.83 | £7.38 | £5.90 | £4.20 | £3.70 |
Even if you are not paid by the hour ( annual salary, piece work or in other ways), you have to work out your hourly rate to see if you are getting the minimum wage. You can check if you have been paid the National Minimum or National Living wage using the minimum wage calculator : https://www.gov.uk/am-i-getting-minimum-wage.
All employers must pay at least the National Minimum or National Living wage and it is a criminal offence if they don't. If you are an employer, you can use the minimum wage calculator to work out how much you need to pay: https://www.gov.uk/minimum-wage-calculator-employers.
You can find more information on what counts as working time, what is included in the minimum wage calculator ( Income Tax, National Insurance contributions, accommodation provided by an employer etc.) or any other information regarding the National Minimum and National Living on www.gov.uk.
References/ Source: www.gov.uk
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