If you are aged 16 or over, the law says you should be paid a minimum amount per hour. This is called the national minimum wage. You can be paid more than the minimum wage, but you must not be paid less.

The rate of minimum wage varies according to your age and employment terms -  it doesn't matter how much experience you have. From 1st October 2008, the minimum you should be paid is:

Aged 16 - 17	£3.53 per hour
Aged 18 - 21	£4.77 per hour
Aged 22 and over	£5.73 per hour

The following are all entitled to the minimum wage: Full-time workers, part-time workers, casual workers, agency workers, home workers, piece-workers and foreign workers who are legally allowed to work in the UK.

But there are a few workers who are not eligible to the minimum wage or only qualify after a set period of time.

If you think you're not being paid the minimum wage you're entitled to - or have any other queries - contact the National Minimum Wage Helpline on 0845 6000 678, visit www.direct.gov.uk/nmw or talk to a Connexions Personal Adviser.