15/09/2026
Don’t overlook the National Minimum Wage...
Taking on your first employee is a huge milestone for any small business.
It’s exciting to start building a team, but becoming an employer also brings a whole new set of responsibilities and getting payroll right is one of them.
One area that can catch new employers out is the National Minimum Wage.
It might sound straightforward; simply make sure you pay your employees at least the minimum hourly rate, however, in reality, calculating whether someone has been paid correctly can be more complicated than you might think.
What are the current minimum wage rates?
Since 1 April 2026, the National Minimum Wage rates are:
21 and over: £12.71 per hour
18-20: £10.85 per hour
Under 18: £8.00 per hour
Apprentices: £8.00 per hour, where the apprentice rate applies.
The rates are reviewed and updated every April, so it’s important that employers keep up to date with any changes.
But knowing the hourly rates is only part of the story. It isn't always as simple as looking at someone's hourly rate. There are a number of things that can affect whether a worker has actually received the correct minimum wage.
For example, certain deductions from pay can reduce the amount that counts towards National Minimum Wage. Similarly, not all payments made to an employee count towards the minimum wage calculation.
Working time can also be important. Depending on the circumstances, activities such as training, opening or closing the workplace or other time connected with the job may need to be taken into account. That means someone who appears to be earning more than the minimum wage on paper could potentially still be underpaid once the full calculation is carried out.
Don't forget apprentices. Apprentices can be another area of confusion for new employers.
An apprentice is generally entitled to the apprentice rate if they are under 19, or 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship. Once an apprentice aged 19 or over has completed their first year, they become entitled to the minimum wage rate for their age.
So it’s important not to simply assume that every apprentice can be paid the apprentice rate throughout their apprenticeship.
Why getting it wrong matters.
National Minimum Wage isn't simply a recommendation. Employers are legally responsible for making sure their workers receive the correct minimum wage and for keeping records to demonstrate that they have done so. If an employer is found to have underpaid workers, they can be required to pay the arrears and may also face penalties and public naming.For a small business, that's a risk that simply isn't worth taking.
If you're employing someone for the first time...
There can be a lot to think about:
✔️ National Minimum Wage
✔️ PAYE and payroll
✔️ National Insurance
✔️ Employment contracts
✔️ Holiday entitlement
✔️ Pension auto-enrolment
✔️ Keeping the right records
✔️ Understanding your responsibilities as an employer
And that's before you've even got your new employee settled into the business!
The good news is that you don't have to work it all out alone.
At Chapmans Business Solutions, we help small businesses navigate the practical side of running a business so you can concentrate on growing it rather than getting buried in administration.
If you're taking on your first employee, or you're not completely confident that your current payroll processes are doing everything they should, it's worth getting the right advice before a small mistake becomes a much bigger problem.
Taking on your first employee? Don't just think about the salary you're going to pay. Think about everything that comes with becoming an employer.
Get it right from day one. Contact us on 01775 529345 or drop us a line at [email protected] so we can ensure you get it right from the offset.