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What are the National Minimum Wage, National Living Wage and Real Living Wage? What are the National Minimum Wage, National Living Wage and Real Living Wage?
(25 days later)
Millions of workers across the UK will see their pay increase in April when the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage go up. Millions of workers across the UK will see their pay increase when the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage go up on 1 April.
The Real Living Wage - a higher amount voluntarily paid by some UK businesses - will remain the same. The Real Living Wage - a higher amount voluntarily paid by some UK businesses - remains the same.
What is the National Living Wage and how much is it?What is the National Living Wage and how much is it?
The National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage are both set by the Department for Business every year on the advice of independent advisory group, the Low Pay Commission.The National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage are both set by the Department for Business every year on the advice of independent advisory group, the Low Pay Commission.
The amount you get depends on your age. Rates apply across the UK.The amount you get depends on your age. Rates apply across the UK.
From 1 April, employees aged 21 and over will be entitled to the National Living Wage. At the moment you have to be 23 to qualify. From 1 April, employees aged 21 and over are entitled to the National Living Wage.Previously, you had to be23 to qualify.
The rate will be £11.44 an hour, up from £10.42. The rate is increasing to £11.44 an hour, up from £10.42.
The government says the 2024 increase means it has reached its long-term goal to make the National Living Wage equal to two-thirds of median hourly pay for those aged 21 and over.The government says the 2024 increase means it has reached its long-term goal to make the National Living Wage equal to two-thirds of median hourly pay for those aged 21 and over.
If all salaries were arranged in order, the median wage would be the one at the middle point - with half above and half below.If all salaries were arranged in order, the median wage would be the one at the middle point - with half above and half below.
What is the National Minimum Wage and how much is it?What is the National Minimum Wage and how much is it?
From 1 April, the National Minimum Wage will apply to younger employees between school leaving age (16) and 20. From 1 April, the National Minimum Wage applies to younger employees between school leaving age (16)and 20:
If you are 16 or 17, the National Minimum Wage will be £6.40 an hour, up from £5.28 If you are 16 or 17, the National Minimum Wage will be£6.40 an hour, up from £5.28
If you are 18, 19 or 20, the National Minimum Wage will be £8.60, up from £7.49If you are 18, 19 or 20, the National Minimum Wage will be £8.60, up from £7.49
The government says this is the largest ever cash increase to the minimum wage.The government says this is the largest ever cash increase to the minimum wage.
The separate apprentice rate, which applies to eligible people under 19 - or those over 19 in the first year of an apprenticeship - will be £6.40 an hour, up from £5.28. The separate apprentice rate, which applies to eligible people under 19 - or those over 19 in the first year of an apprenticeship will be £6.40 an hour, up from £5.28.
What is the Real Living Wage and how much is it?
The Real Living Wage is an unofficial hourly rate which is overseen by the Living Wage Foundation charity. It is based on what the charity believes people need to earn.
It is aimed at UK workers aged 18 and over but it is not a legal requirement, and businesses choose whether to pay it.
The charity says more than 460,000 employees working for 14,000 firms currently receive the Real Living Wage.
The rate for workers in the capital - sometimes called the London Living Wage - is £13.15 an hour.
In the rest of the UK, it is £12.
A qualifying full-time worker in London would earn £5,323 more than someone on the National Living Wage.
Someone on the Real Living Wage outside the capital would earn £3,081 more than someone on the National Living Wage.
The charity points out that - unlike the National Minimum Wage - the Real Living Wage has kept up with the rising cost of living.
The CPI measure of inflation rose by 17.4% between September 2021 and September 2023. Over the same period the Real Living Wage for the UK went up by 21.2% (19% for London).
By comparison, the National Minimum Wage increased by less than CPI between April 2021 and April 2023.
In February 2024 the charity said its research found that 1 in 8 UK jobs pay less than its suggested hourly rate, with the highest concentration of low-paid jobs in the north-east of England (15.9%), the East Midlands (15.7%) and Northern Ireland (15.6%).
How does your pay compare with other jobs?
Who can't get the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage?Who can't get the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage?
Those who don't qualify include:Those who don't qualify include:
the self-employedthe self-employed
company directorscompany directors
volunteersvolunteers
members of the armed forcesmembers of the armed forces
people living and working in a religious communitypeople living and working in a religious community
prisonersprisoners
Those with disabilities or in long-term unemployment who take part in government work programmes are paid fixed amounts at different stages of the scheme. People with disabilities or in long-term unemployment who take part in government work programmes are paid fixed amounts at different stages of the scheme.
There are less than the equivalent National Minimum or Living rate.There are less than the equivalent National Minimum or Living rate.
Do employers have to pay the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage?Do employers have to pay the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage?
Yes, it is a criminal offence if employers fail to pay the correct National Minimum and Living Wages to their workers.Yes, it is a criminal offence if employers fail to pay the correct National Minimum and Living Wages to their workers.
The rates apply to staff even if they are not paid by the hour.The rates apply to staff even if they are not paid by the hour.
Calculator: Am I getting the right wage?Calculator: Am I getting the right wage?
If you think you are being paid incorrectly, you can complain via the HMRC website.If you think you are being paid incorrectly, you can complain via the HMRC website.
You can also get advice from workplace experts Acas.You can also get advice from workplace experts Acas.
What happens if employers don't pay the right National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage?What happens if employers don't pay the right National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage?
Any employer not paying the correct amount can be fined by HMRC.Any employer not paying the correct amount can be fined by HMRC.
In June 2023, the government said that more than 200 firms had been fined nearly £7m and told to reimburse 63,000 workers for failures over several years.In June 2023, the government said that more than 200 firms had been fined nearly £7m and told to reimburse 63,000 workers for failures over several years.
The companies included Marks and Spencer, Argos and Lloyds Pharmacy.The companies included Marks and Spencer, Argos and Lloyds Pharmacy.
WH Smith was the worst offender, having failed to pay over £1m to more than 17,600 workers.WH Smith was the worst offender, having failed to pay over £1m to more than 17,600 workers.
What is the Real Living Wage and how much is it?
The Real Living Wage is an unofficial hourly rate which is overseen by the Living Wage Foundation charity. It is based on the amount the charity believes people need to earn.
It is aimed at UK workers aged 18 and over, but is not a legal requirement, and businesses choose whether or not to pay it.
The charity says more than 460,000 employees working for 14,000 firms currently receive the Real Living Wage.
The rate for workers in the capital - sometimes called the London Living Wage - is £13.15 an hour.
In the rest of the UK, it is £12.
A qualifying full-time worker in London would earn £5,323 more than someone on the National Living Wage.
Someone on the Real Living Wage outside the capital would earn £3,081 more than someone on the National Living Wage.
The charity points out that - unlike the National Minimum Wage - the Real Living Wage has kept up with the rising cost of living.
The CPI measure of inflation rose by 17.4% between September 2021 and September 2023. Over the same period the Real Living Wage for the UK went up by 21.2% (19% in London).
By comparison, the National Minimum Wage increased by less than CPI between April 2021 and April 2023.
In February 2024, the charity said its research found that 1 in 8 UK jobs pay less than its suggested hourly rate, with the highest concentration of low-paid jobs in the north-east of England (15.9%), the East Midlands (15.7%) and Northern Ireland (15.6%).
How does your pay compare with other jobs?
When were the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage introduced?When were the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage introduced?
The National Minimum Wage came into force under the Labour government in 1999.The National Minimum Wage came into force under the Labour government in 1999.
It started at £3.60 for those 22 and older, and £3 for 18-21 year olds.It started at £3.60 for those 22 and older, and £3 for 18-21 year olds.
The Conservative government introduced the National Living Wage for workers aged over 25 in 2016.The Conservative government introduced the National Living Wage for workers aged over 25 in 2016.
It was initially set at £7.20 - 50p more than the National Minimum Wage. The qualifying age fell to 23 in 2021.It was initially set at £7.20 - 50p more than the National Minimum Wage. The qualifying age fell to 23 in 2021.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
UK National Minimum WageUK National Minimum Wage
Cost of LivingCost of Living
UK economyUK economy
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