Commentary on Sections Schedule 9: Work: exceptions Examples
It is lawful for an employer to pay 16 to 21 year olds a lower rate of minimum wage than that given to adults, when based on the development bands set out in 1999 Regulations. For example, based on the 2009/10 rates:16-17 a rate of £3.57 per hour18-21 a rate of £4.83 per hourwhereas the national minimum wage for those 22 and over is £5.80.
	Rather than pay the amounts stated by the 1999 Regulations, this paragraph also permits an employer to base its pay scales on the development bands and so, for example, it may pay 16-17 year olds £4 per hour, 18-21 year olds £5 per hour and those over 22 £6 per hour.