It’s no joke
Millions of Brits on minimum wage are getting a pay rise from today, and no, this isn’t an April Fool’s joke.
The government announced back in November that it would increase both the national minimum wage and national living wage in hopes of ensuring people on lower incomes are “properly rewarded” for their work.
The living wage, for eligible workers aged 21 and over, has risen by 4.1% to £12.71 an hour.
For a full-time worker over the age of 21, a pay increase of £900 a year is expected.
The national minimum wage rate for 18 to 20-year-olds will increase by 8.5% to £10.85 an hour. For 16 to 17-year-olds and those on apprenticeships, the increase will be 6%, to £8 an hour, per Sky News.
If you’re aged 18 to 20, there’ll be an annual earnings increase of £1,500 for a full-time worker, which, according to the government, marks further progress towards its goal of phasing out 18 to 20 wage bands and establishing a single adult rate.
Are you entitled to minimum wage?
Anyone classed as a ‘worker’ and aged 16 or over is eligible for the minimum wage, including part-time staff, agency workers, and casual labourers.
Apprentices who are under 19, or who are 19 and over but in the first year of their apprenticeship, will be paid at the designated apprentice rate. After that, they are entitled to the regular minimum or living wage, depending on their age.
However, certain people aren’t entitled to minimum wage, such as self-employed people, members of the armed forces or workers younger than the school leaving age.
The full list of those eligible for the minimum wage can be found here.
Workers aged 21 and over are legally entitled to the National Living Wage, following the lowering of the age threshold from 23 in 2024.
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