National Minimum Wage amendment Jan 2011

From 1 January the National Minimum Wage regulations were amended to close a loophole being exploited by employers.

Following consultation on travel and subsistence schemes implemented for temporary workers paid at or near the national minimum wage, the government found employers were exploiting a ‘loophole’ through which they could avoid paying National Insurance, pension contributions, sick pay, maternity pay and tax credits.

Costs associated with travel to a temporary workplace and related subsistence costs will no longer form part of an employee’s wage.

The amendment was announced in July 2010.