Live-in domestic workers become entitled to National Minimum Wage

Stephen Morrall

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Currently, a live-in domestic worker who is treated as a member of their employer's family, has not been exempted from the requirement to be paid the national minimum wage (NMW). 

The worker may or may not be a family member but they have to be treated as such and they do not pay for their accommodation or meals.

The Low Pay Commission concluded that this exemption was not fit for purpose and should be removed. 

Regulations are currently before Parliament to achieve this and, if passed, from 1 April 2024, a live-in domestic worker who is not a member of the family will become entitled to be paid the NMW. The exemption for family members remains in force. From that date, the NMW for someone who is 21 or over will rise to £11.44 per hour.  

If your family employs live-in workers, you need to review their contracts before 1 April and adjust their pay appropriately.

Please contact any member of our Company & Commercial department for more information.