1 Do you think it is a good idea to have a legally enforceable minimum wage? In 1999 the minimum wage was set at £3. 60 an hour for employees over 21, and £3 for those aged 18–

21.

In October 2005 the rate was increased to £5. 05 an hour, and as at October 2012 was £6. 19. It applies to most workers in the UK, including home workers, commission workers, part-

time workers, casual workers and pieceworkers. Extra money paid to workers who work overtime or do shift work is not included. The National Insurance Contributions Office, part of HM Revenue & Customs, is charged with ensuring the minimum wage is paid, but there is no separate agency to police the system. The Low Pay Commission monitors how the system operates in practice. Refusing to pay the national minimum wage is a criminal offence, which can result in a fine of up to £5,000. Dismissing a worker because he or she becomes eligible for the national minimum wage will count as unfair dismissal