Pay, minimum wage, pay slips, and deductions

Summary

Know your rights on pay, minimum wage, and legal deductions. Learn what your employer can and can't deduct, why payslips matter, and what to do if you're being underpaid. This information applies to England and Wales. Almost all workers are entitled to the National Minimum Wage (if they are aged 20 or under) or the National Living Wage (if they are aged 21 or over). If you are allowed to work in the UK, no matter where you came from, you are usually entitled to at least this basic rate of pay. Once entitled, you receive these rates of pay whether you work full-time or part-time, or if you are a casual worker (who only works shifts sometimes). You are also entitled whether you work from home or are paid by commission. You might be paid according to the number of items you make. If that's the case, there are special provisions to ensure you are receiving a fair rate per item produced by you. Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate of the national minimum wage if they are under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship. The amount you receive depends on your age and whether you are an apprentice. Check the current rates of the national minimum wage and national living.

Key information

• those under school leaving age (usually 16)
• volunteers or people doing work experience for less than a year as part of a higher or further education course,
• people in government training schemes,
• those on a Jobcentre work trial,
• those living and working in a religious community, and
• those in the armed forces.
• Know your rights on pay, minimum wage, and legal deductions. Learn what your employer can and can't deduct, why payslips matter, and what to do if you're being underpaid.
• Almost all workers are entitled to the National Minimum Wage (if they are aged 20 or under) or the National Living Wage (if they are aged 21 or over).
• If you are allowed to work in the UK, no matter where you came from, you are usually entitled to at least this basic rate of pay.
• Once entitled, you receive these rates of pay whether you work full-time or part-time, or if you are a casual worker (who only works shifts sometimes). You are also entitled whether you work from home or are paid by commission.
• You might be paid according to the number of items you make. If that's the case, there are special provisions to ensure you are receiving a fair rate per item produced by you.
• Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate of the national minimum wage if they are under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship.

Practical guidance

• Source: Pay, minimum wage, pay slips, and deductions

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