The National Minimum Wage came into force under the Labour government in 1999.
It started at £3.60 an hour for those 22 and older, and £3 for those aged 18 to 21.
A new minimum wage rate for 16 to 17-year-olds was introduced in October 2004, and the apprentice rate began in October 2010.
The National Living Wage for workers aged over 25 started in 2016.
It was initially set at £7.20 an hour – 50p more than the National Minimum Wage. The qualifying age fell to 23 in 2021.
