Check whether a care worker earns at least the minimum wage once travel time between visits is counted, using the rates from 1 April 2026 (or the April 2027 rates announced on 28 October 2026) and HMRC's rules. It is filled in with an example to show how it works: change the figures to your own.
| Hours that count | |
| Pay that counts | |
| Effective hourly rate | |
| Minimum wage for this worker | |
| Shortfall this period | |
| Over a year at this pattern |
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The minimum wage is checked on average across a pay reference period: the pay that counts, divided by the hours that count, must be at least the rate for the worker's age. For care workers paid by the hour or by the visit, these are the rules that matter most.
"travelling from one work assignment to another - for example a care worker driving from one client to another between appointments" (GOV.UK, Calculating the minimum wage)
It is the actual travel time that counts, not an ideal route: HMRC says it is not persuasive to base travel on "computer-calculated planned routes where such routes do not represent the actual circumstances".
"Travelling from home to a task or assignment will generally not be considered as working time" for minimum wage purposes. If a carer goes home for a break between visits, the journeys home and back do not count either.
Time when a carer is required to be available at or near a place of work counts, even if they are just waiting. A break the carer actually takes, and is free to use as they wish, does not. There is no fixed number of minutes that separates the two.
And some costs reduce pay: work travel costs the carer pays and is not repaid, and deductions such as uniform charges.
| Worker | From 1 April 2026 | From 1 April 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71 | £13.21 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 | £11.27 |
| Under 18 | £8.00 | £8.31 |
| Apprentice (under 19, or 19+ in the first year) | £8.00 | £8.31 |
The April 2027 rates were announced at the Budget on 28 October 2026, when the Government accepted the Low Pay Commission's recommendations in full.
Underpaid workers are owed arrears at today's rate, and employers can face a penalty of 200% of the underpayment (minimum £100, up to £20,000 per worker, halved if paid within 14 days). Cases with arrears of £500 or more are considered for public naming. Not paying the minimum wage is a criminal offence.
It is a guide, not legal advice. For a specific case, contact Acas on 0300 123 1100 or see GOV.UK.
Yes. GOV.UK lists "travelling from one work assignment to another - for example a care worker driving from one client to another between appointments" as time that counts. Travel from home to the first visit and from the last visit home generally does not count for minimum wage purposes.
A genuine break, when the carer is free to use the time as they wish, does not count. Time when the carer is required to wait at or near a place of work does count. There is no fixed number of minutes that separates the two; it depends on whether a real break was taken.
No. Payments that reimburse a carer's work expenses, such as mileage, do not count as minimum wage pay, even if the employer calls them an allowance. If the carer pays business travel costs between visits that are not reimbursed, those costs reduce their minimum wage pay.
From 1 April 2026: £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over (the National Living Wage), £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds, and £8 for under 18s and apprentices. From 1 April 2027 these rise to £13.21, £11.27 and £8.31, announced at the Budget on 28 October 2026.
Only the basic part counts. Where a premium is paid for weekends or unsocial hours, the premium element is taken out and the hours are valued at the lowest basic rate in the contract. Enter the basic hourly rate in this calculator.
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