A minimum hourly rate of pay set by government which applies, with some exceptions, to all workers. The employer is under the obligation to pay the NMW, and there are no exclusions for smaller employers. The provisions relating to the NMW are contained in the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 and the National Minimum Wage Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/621), and the rates are based on the recommendations of the independent Low Pay Commission.

For more information on the law relating to NMW, see Practice note, National minimum wage and for the current rates of NMW, see Checklist, Current rates and limits for employment lawyers: National minimum wage.