Latest news with #WorkProgramme
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Complete list of 15 jobs 'not entitled' to National Minimum Wage
The Government-set National Minimum Wage rates are typically updated every year on April 1 If you assumed that everyone is entitled to the National Minimum Wage, you'd be wrong. A small handful of career paths aren't guaranteed this basic pay or the National Living Wage - and that even includes company directors. While the National Living Wage offers a higher rate for people aged 21 and over, the National Minimum Wage sets the minimum legal hourly wage for workers. Yet, not every worker is entitled to these rates, with a staggering 15 job categories being exempt. Among those who might forgo this fundamental wage are members of the armed forces and even fishermen. The Government also lists the following: Members of the armed forces Self-employed people running their own business Workers on a government employment programme, such as the Work Programme People living and working in a religious community Workers on government pre-apprenticeships schemes People on the following European Union (EU) programmes: Leonardo da Vinci, Erasmus+, Comenius People shadowing others at work People working on a Jobcentre Plus Work trial for up to 6 weeks People who are volunteers or voluntary workers Prisoners Workers younger than school leaving age (usually 16) Family members of the employer living in the employer's home Higher and further education students on work experience or a work placement up to one year Company directors Share fishermen Meanwhile, employees are entitled to the correct minimum wage if they are: Casual labourers, for example someone hired for one day Agency workers Offshore workers Apprentices Trainees, workers on probation Agricultural workers Foreign workers Seafarers Workers and homeworkers paid by the number of items they make Part-time Disabled workers Non-family members living in the employer's home who share in the work and leisure activities and are treated as one of the family, for example, au pairs Apprentices are also entitled to an apprentice rate if they are under 19 or over 19 and in the first year of their apprenticeship. "Apprentices over 19 who have completed the first year of their apprenticeship are entitled to the correct minimum wage for their age," the Government adds. What is the current National Minimum Wage? The Government-set wage rates are updated every year on April 1. As of April 1 2025, the rates are now: £12.21 (aged 21 and over) £10 (aged 18 to 20) £7.55 (aged under 18) £7.55 (apprentice rate) Brits are encouraged to use the Government's minimum wage calculator to check whether they are receiving the National Minimum Wage. Reach out to Acas if you're not getting the National Minimum Wage and think you should be. For more information, head to the Government's website.
Scoop
11-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
PACER Plus Joint Committee Charts Strategic Path Forward For Pacific Trade And Development
Press Release – PACER Plus The outcomes of this meeting will guide the next phase of PACER Plus, ensuring it remains responsive to the needs of the Pacific and delivers tangible benefits for the region. HONIARA, Solomon Islands – The Eight Meeting of the PACER Plus Joint Committee concluded on Tuesday 6 May 2025 in Honiara, Solomon Islands, bringing together senior government officials from Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Chaired by Ambassador Collin Beck, Permanent Secretary of the Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, the meeting provided a crucial platform for Parties to review progress, reimagine the future of PACER Plus, and strengthen regional economic integration. Ambassador Beck underscored the significance of PACER Plus in navigating today's uncertain global trade environment. 'PACER Plus was envisioned as a pathway toward deepening economic integration across the Blue Pacific Continent by creating a predictable, rules-based trade environment and unlocking targeted development assistance through the PACER Plus Development and Economic Cooperation (DEC) Work Programme,' he said. 'This meeting was an opportunity to reflect on the past, reimagine the Agreement's next phase, and ensure it delivers meaningful impact for our people.' The DEC Work Programme, funded by Australia and New Zealand, is a cornerstone of PACER Plus implementation, designed to support Pacific Island countries in building trade capacity, strengthening industries, and overcoming barriers to economic growth. It provides targeted assistance in areas such as export development, trade facilitation, and skills training, ensuring that Pacific Parties can fully benefit from regional and global trade opportunities. The meeting approved high-level strategic priorities for the next DEC Work Programme cycle (2025-2030) commencing the work towards confirming arrangements required for continuation of the DEC Work Programme beyond 2025. Discussions emphasised the need for a sharper focus on export development, value chain strengthening, reducing shipping and logistics costs, and targeted skills development. The meeting also highlighted the importance of private sector engagement, digital trade as a key economic driver, and the alignment of strategic priorities with measurable 2030 targets under the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Adaptation (MELA) Framework. Parties reaffirmed PACER Plus as a vital mechanism for regional economic integration, in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Expanding membership remains a key priority, with commitments to advocate for new members to join the Agreement. Australia and New Zealand provided updates on the current internal governance reviews required to confirm resourcing for the next DEC Work Programme (2025-2030). Ambassador Beck expressed gratitude on behalf of all Parties: 'We deeply appreciate the ongoing commitment of Australia and New Zealand to PACER Plus, both through their current funding and their expressed support for the next phase. Their partnership is instrumental in ensuring Pacific nations can harness trade for sustainable development.' The Joint Committee reaffirmed Parties' commitment to the rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organisation at its core. A joint statement was adopted as follows: 'We affirm our commitment to a transparent, non-discriminatory, and open rules-based multilateral trading system which provides certainty and predictability for businesses, builds trust and confidence among consumers, and underpins the growth of international trade and development. In the face of mounting challenges, including disruptions in global supply chains, rising protectionism and climate change, our collective commitment to these principles and the maintenance of trade openness is more crucial than ever,' the statement read. Parties also pledged to uphold a special and differential treatment for Small Island Developing States, ensuring tailored support to safeguard food security, livelihoods, and effective participation in global trade. The outcomes of this meeting will guide the next phase of PACER Plus, ensuring it remains responsive to the needs of the Pacific and delivers tangible benefits for the region.
Scoop
11-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
PACER Plus Joint Committee Charts Strategic Path Forward For Pacific Trade And Development
Press Release – PACER Plus The outcomes of this meeting will guide the next phase of PACER Plus, ensuring it remains responsive to the needs of the Pacific and delivers tangible benefits for the region. HONIARA, Solomon Islands – The Eight Meeting of the PACER Plus Joint Committee concluded on Tuesday 6 May 2025 in Honiara, Solomon Islands, bringing together senior government officials from Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Chaired by Ambassador Collin Beck, Permanent Secretary of the Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, the meeting provided a crucial platform for Parties to review progress, reimagine the future of PACER Plus, and strengthen regional economic integration. Ambassador Beck underscored the significance of PACER Plus in navigating today's uncertain global trade environment. 'PACER Plus was envisioned as a pathway toward deepening economic integration across the Blue Pacific Continent by creating a predictable, rules-based trade environment and unlocking targeted development assistance through the PACER Plus Development and Economic Cooperation (DEC) Work Programme,' he said. 'This meeting was an opportunity to reflect on the past, reimagine the Agreement's next phase, and ensure it delivers meaningful impact for our people.' The DEC Work Programme, funded by Australia and New Zealand, is a cornerstone of PACER Plus implementation, designed to support Pacific Island countries in building trade capacity, strengthening industries, and overcoming barriers to economic growth. It provides targeted assistance in areas such as export development, trade facilitation, and skills training, ensuring that Pacific Parties can fully benefit from regional and global trade opportunities. The meeting approved high-level strategic priorities for the next DEC Work Programme cycle (2025-2030) commencing the work towards confirming arrangements required for continuation of the DEC Work Programme beyond 2025. Discussions emphasised the need for a sharper focus on export development, value chain strengthening, reducing shipping and logistics costs, and targeted skills development. The meeting also highlighted the importance of private sector engagement, digital trade as a key economic driver, and the alignment of strategic priorities with measurable 2030 targets under the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Adaptation (MELA) Framework. Parties reaffirmed PACER Plus as a vital mechanism for regional economic integration, in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Expanding membership remains a key priority, with commitments to advocate for new members to join the Agreement. Australia and New Zealand provided updates on the current internal governance reviews required to confirm resourcing for the next DEC Work Programme (2025-2030). Ambassador Beck expressed gratitude on behalf of all Parties: 'We deeply appreciate the ongoing commitment of Australia and New Zealand to PACER Plus, both through their current funding and their expressed support for the next phase. Their partnership is instrumental in ensuring Pacific nations can harness trade for sustainable development.' The Joint Committee reaffirmed Parties' commitment to the rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organisation at its core. A joint statement was adopted as follows: 'We affirm our commitment to a transparent, non-discriminatory, and open rules-based multilateral trading system which provides certainty and predictability for businesses, builds trust and confidence among consumers, and underpins the growth of international trade and development. In the face of mounting challenges, including disruptions in global supply chains, rising protectionism and climate change, our collective commitment to these principles and the maintenance of trade openness is more crucial than ever,' the statement read. Parties also pledged to uphold a special and differential treatment for Small Island Developing States, ensuring tailored support to safeguard food security, livelihoods, and effective participation in global trade. The outcomes of this meeting will guide the next phase of PACER Plus, ensuring it remains responsive to the needs of the Pacific and delivers tangible benefits for the region.
