Release: Low Pay, April 2010

Presents information about the lower end of the earnings distribution and estimates for the number of jobs paid below the national minimum wage. The estimates are based on data from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). ASHE is based on a one per cent sample of employee jobs taken from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) PAYE records. Information on earnings and hours is obtained from employers and treated confidentially. ASHE does not cover the self-employed nor does it cover employees not paid during the reference period.

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is a minimum amount per hour that most employees in the UK are entitled to be paid. There are different levels of NMW depending on a worker’s age and whether they are an apprentice. The low pay estimates presented relate to gross pay before tax, National Insurance and other deductions.

Further information is available from the Low Pay Guidance and Methodology section