27 July 2008
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS)
 
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Pay

All workers in the UK are entitled to be paid at least the national minimum wage.

 The minimum wage applies to:

  • all workers over school leaving age
  • overseas workers even if they are only in the UK for a short time 
  • agency workers and homeworkers who may not otherwise qualify as ‘workers’ in employment legislation
  • Crown employees 
  • staff of the House of Commons and House of Lords 
  • mariners 
  • agricultural workers already covered by the agricultural minimum wage 

It does not apply to:

  • the genuinely self-employed, office holders, directors (unless they have an employment contract) 
  • school children below school leaving age  
  • the armed forces 
  • share fishermen
  • voluntary workers   
  • prisoners working under prison rules

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