Minimum wage rules for volunteers maintained

By Paul Jump, Third Sector Online, 30 November 2007

The Government has decided not to change the application of minimum wage rules to voluntary workers, despite complaints from charities that the law could prevent them offering incentives to volunteers.

Under current law, volunteers who receive benefits – such as allowances or training that does not relate directly to their voluntary work – could argue that they are entitled to the minimum wage. A Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform consultation document published earlier this year suggested that youth...