SolvedNMWM03070 | National Minimum Wage rates: compulsory school age
From HM Revenue & Customs · National Minimum Wage Manual
Relevant legislation
The legislation that applies to this page is as follows:
National Minimum Wage Act 1998, sections 1(2)(c), 55(4) & 55(5)
From 1 October 2004 workers under 18 (NMWM03060) may be entitled to the National Minimum Wage if they are over compulsory school age. A person is no longer of compulsory school age as follows:
England and Wales
Education (School Leaving Date) Order 1997
after the last Friday in June of the school year in which their 16 birthday falls
Northern Ireland
Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, Article 46
after the 30 June of the school year in which their 16 birthday falls
Scotland
Education (Scotland) Act 1980, sections 31 and 33
after 31 May in the same year as their 16 birthday, if that falls in the period 1 March to 30 September, or
after the start of their school’s Christmas holidays in the same school year as their 16 birthday, if that falls in the period 1 October to the last day of February
A school year runs from 1 September to 31 August. These arrangements will allow some pupils to leave school while they are still 15 years old. In these circumstances, a 15 year old worker who qualifies for the National Minimum Wage will be entitled to the under 18 year old rate (NMWM03060).
(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)