Minimum Wage Update

The official minimum rates of pay rose for 2. 7 million workers on 1 April.

The rate for workers aged 21 and over is called the National Living Wage, while those aged 18 to 20 are paid the National Minimum Wage.

From 1 April 2026, workers over 21 on the National Living Wage are paid £12. 71 an hour, 50p more than in 2025.

The rate for 18 to 20-year-olds has gone up to £10. 85 an hour.

This increase amounts to an increase of £1,500 a year for a full-time worker.

Apprentices aged 16 to 18 are entitled to the National Minimum Wage rate for that age group which is currently £8.

The government said its goal is to eventually scrap this separate rate for 18 to 20-year-olds, and have one rate for all adults.

The minimum wage for 16 and 17-year-olds has also risen to £8 an hour.

There are different rates of pay for apprentices, external depending on their age and what stage of apprenticeship they are in.

Apprentices aged 19, or in the first year of their apprenticeship, are paid the appropriate National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage rate for their age.

The Real Living Wage, external is an unofficial hourly rate of pay which is overseen by the Living Wage Foundation charity, who say it is set at a rate to meet the cost of living.

Some firms choose to pay the Real Living Wage, but it is not mandatory.

According to the charity almost 500,000 employees working for nearly 17,000 firms receive the voluntary rate of pay.

In October 2026, the foundation said the UK rate would increase by 4. 8% to £14. 10 an hour, while the London Living Wage for workers in the capital would go up by 4. 4% to £15. 45.

The rates apply even if workers are not paid by the hour.

Calculator: Am I getting the right wage? , external

If you think you are being paid the wrong amount, you can complain via the HMRC website, external.

You can also get advice