I have taken on a couple of 17 year olds. Do I have to pay them the development rate, or are there no restrictions on what I can pay?
From October 2008 you should pay 16 and 17 year-olds (other than apprentices - see above) at least £3.53 an hour, up from £3.40 (from October 2007).The development rate (now £4.77 an hour) only applies to:
- those aged 18, who are not undertaking an apprenticeship
- those aged 19 to 21 (inclusive), whether they are taking an apprenticeship or not
- those who are older in particular circumstances (see question three)
Related Resources
in the Legal Information Centre
- What is the current rate for the minimum wage?
- I've taken on a 23 year old with no job experience whatsoever (she is a single mother). Do I have to pay her the adult rate?
- Can I pay an employee less than the minimum wage, if he is willing to accept it?
- I employ my wife in the business, and I sometimes get my teenagers to put in a few hours too. Do I have to pay them the minimum wage?
