The minimum wage is the amount by law an employer must pay an employee. As of October 2015 the UK minimum wage rates are:
- For employees aged 21 and over - £6.70
- For employees between 18 and 20 - £5.30
- For employees between 16-17 -£3.87
- Apprentice- £3.30
Workers must be school leaving age, which is usually 16 or over , in order to qualify for Minimum Wage. Any contract with an employee that includes an hourly rate below the minumum wage is not legally binding. Workers including part - time workers, agency workers , casual labourers are entitled to the Minimum Wage.