Employers must pay workers the national minimum wage. The rates, which increase on 1 October each year, are divided into the main adult rate (workers aged 21 and over), the development rate (workers aged 18-20 inclusive) and the youth rate (workers aged 16 and 17). There is also an apprentice rate.
An additional rate for workers aged 25 and over, which is being called the “national living wage”, is being introduced from 1 April 2016.