The main rate (the standard or adult rate) is £5.73 an hour from 1 October 2008. The development rate which applies to workers aged 18 to 21 inclusive (sometimes called the youth rate) is £4.77 an hour from 1 October 2008. The rate for 16 and 17 year olds (sometimes called the school leavers' rate) is £3.53 an hour, also from 1 October 2008. From October 2006, apprentices under the age of 19 have been exempted from the minimum wage, as have older apprentices aged 19 to 25 inclusive for the first 12 months of their apprenticeships. Thereafter, apprentices aged from 19 to 21 must be paid at least the development rate (£4.77 an hour from 1 October), and older apprentices must be paid the adult rate or more.
