There is a lower hourly national minimum wage, which applies to workers at the age of 18 and applies until they reach the age of 21. It is currently £4.98 per hour (from October 2011).
16-17 year olds are entitled to earn at least £3.68 per hour.
Apprentices under the age of 19, or over the age of 19 but in the first year of their apprenticeship, are entitled to £2.50 per hour.
Under the age of 16, there is no minimum wage protection.
24 Feb 2012: When do you start getting paid?
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