For the purposes of this Act, but subject to the following subsection, “earnings” are any sums payable to a person—
(a) by way of wages or salary (including any fees, bonus, commission, overtime pay or other emoluments payable in addition to wages or salary or payable under a contract of service);
(b) by way of pension (including an annuity in respect of past services, whether or not rendered to the person paying the annuity, and including periodical payments by way of compensation for the loss, abolition or relinquishment, or diminution in the emoluments, of any office or employment).
(c) by way of statutory sick pay.
The following shall not be treated as earnings:—
(a) sums payable by any public department of the Government of Northern Ireland or of a territory outside the United Kingdom;
(b) pay or allowances payable to the debtor as a member of Her Majesty’s forces other than pay or allowances payable by his employer to him as a special member of a reserve force (within the meaning of the Reserve Forces Act 1996);
(ba) a tax credit (within the meaning of the Tax Credits Act 2002);
(c) pension, allowances or benefit payable under any enactment relating to social security;
(d) pension or allowances payable in respect of disablement or disability;
(e) except in relation to a maintenance orderwages payable to a person as a seaman, other than wages payable to him as a seaman of a fishing boat.
(f) guaranteed minimum pension within the meaning of the Pension Schemes Act 1993.
In subsection (2)(e) above,
“fishing boat” means a vessel of whatever size, and in whatever way propelled, which is for the time being employed in sea fishing or in the sea-fishing service;
“seaman” includes every person (except masters and pilots) employed or engaged in any capacity on board any ship; and
“wages” includes emoluments.