A recent announcement reveals 15 job roles, including Armed Forces members, are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage
London: So, there’s some big news about the National Minimum Wage in the UK. Millions of workers are about to see a nice pay bump, thanks to Labour’s Autumn Budget. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced an increase in both the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage last autumn, aiming to make salaries fairer.
Now, here’s the kicker: not everyone gets to benefit from this minimum pay. In fact, there are 15 job roles that don’t qualify, and some of them might surprise you.
For instance, company directors, university students on work placements, and even members of the Armed Forces aren’t guaranteed that basic pay. The government has a whole list of these roles.
Some of the jobs that don’t get the minimum wage include self-employed folks, share fishermen, and even volunteers. It’s a bit wild, right? And it doesn’t stop there; family members living with their employer and workers younger than the school leaving age are also on the list.
The changes to the wage structure are set to kick in on April 1, 2025, and they’re expected to impact over three million workers. The biggest jump will be for apprentices and those aged 16 to 17, with their pay going up from £6.40 to £7.55 an hour, which is an 18% increase. Not too shabby!
For those aged 18 to 20, they’ll see their minimum wage rise to £10 per hour, which is a record increase. And for the over-21 crowd, they’ll get a 6.7% bump, bringing the National Living Wage to £12.21 per hour. That’s an extra £1,400 a year!
Here’s a quick breakdown of the new rates:
- Over-21s: £11.44 to £12.21 (6.7% increase)
- 18 to 20: £8.60 to £10 (16.3% increase)
- 16 to 17: £6.40 to £7.55 (18% increase)
- Apprentice: £6.40 to £7.55 (18% increase)
After the announcement, Chancellor Reeves said, “This Government promised a genuine living wage for working people. This pay boost for millions of workers is a significant step towards delivering on that promise.”
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner chimed in, saying, “A proper day’s work deserves a proper day’s pay. Our changes will help millions of lower earners cover the essentials.”
Feeling underpaid? The Government has a minimum wage calculator to help you check if you’re getting what you deserve. Just plug in your details like age, pay frequency, and hours worked, and you’ll know where you stand.
Plus, if you think your employer owes you back pay, you can use the same tool to find out. There’s even a separate calculator for employers worried about underpayments. Pretty handy, right?
