This article applies to England, Wales and Scotland.
Last updated: April 2026
In brief: From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour. Workers aged 18 to 20 receive £10.85, while under-18s and most apprentices receive £8.00. These are legal minimums your employer cannot pay below.
What is the National Minimum Wage?
If you've just checked your payslip and something doesn't look right, the first thing to know is this: every worker in the UK has a legal right to be paid at least a minimum hourly rate. The amount depends on your age and, if you're an apprentice, how far into your apprenticeship you are.
There are two terms you'll see used. The National Living Wage (NLW) is the rate for workers aged 21 and over. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) covers everyone younger. Both are set by the government each year, based on recommendations from the Low Pay Commission, and both are legally enforceable. Your employer cannot contract around them, even if you've signed something agreeing to less.
National Minimum Wage rates from April 2026
New rates came into force on 1 April 2026. These are the legal minimums your employer must pay per hour:
| Age group | Hourly rate (from April 2026) | Previous rate (April 2025) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (NLW) | £12.71 | £12.21 | 4.1% |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 | £10.00 | 8.5% |
| Under 18 | £8.00 | £7.55 | 6.0% |
| Apprentice | £8.00 | £7.55 | 6.0% |
For a full-time worker aged 21 or over on 37.5 hours per week, the new NLW works out to roughly £24,785 per year before tax. Around 2.7 million workers across the UK are affected by the April 2026 increase.
How the rates have changed over recent years
The minimum wage has risen significantly, particularly for younger workers. In April 2024, the NLW for workers aged 21 and over was £11.44. By April 2026, that same rate has reached £12.71, an increase of over 11% in two years.
The 18-to-20 rate has grown even faster, rising from £8.60 in April 2024 to £10.85 from April 2026, a jump of over 26%. The government has signalled its long-term intention to narrow the gap between the NMW and NLW, eventually moving towards a single adult rate.
| Period | 21 and over | 18 to 20 | Under 18 | Apprentice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 onwards | £12.71 | £10.85 | £8.00 | £8.00 |
| April 2025 to March 2026 | £12.21 | £10.00 | £7.55 | £7.55 |
| April 2024 to March 2025 | £11.44 | £8.60 | £6.40 | £6.40 |
| April 2023 to March 2024* | £10.42 | £7.49 | £5.28 | £5.28 |
*Before April 2024, the NLW applied to workers aged 23 and over, with a separate rate of £10.18 for 21-to-22-year-olds. Before April 2021, the NLW threshold was 25.
Apprentice rates: the rules are more specific than you'd think
The apprentice rate of £8.00 per hour applies if you are either under 19, or aged 19 or over and still in the first year of your apprenticeship.
Once you've completed that first year and you're 19 or older, you move to the standard minimum wage for your age group. A 21-year-old apprentice in their second year is entitled to £12.71 per hour, not £8.00.
This catches a lot of people out. If your employer is still paying you the apprentice rate after your first year and you're 19 or over, they may be underpaying you.
Who qualifies for the minimum wage?
Most workers in the UK are entitled to the minimum wage. You qualify if you are at least school leaving age (usually 16) and classed as a worker. This includes part-time workers, casual labourers, agency workers, homeworkers, trainees, disabled workers, foreign workers legally employed in the UK, and au pairs.
You do not need a permanent contract. You do not need to work full-time. Zero-hours contracts still carry minimum wage obligations.
There are a number of groups not entitled to the minimum wage. These include self-employed people running their own business, company directors, genuine volunteers working for a charity or voluntary organisation, members of the armed forces, family members living in the employer's home, students on work placements of up to one year, workers on certain government employment programmes, and prisoners. GOV.UK publishes a full list of exclusions.
If you're an intern, your entitlement depends on your employment status. If you are classed as a worker, meaning you have a contract or arrangement to perform work, you are entitled to the minimum wage regardless of what your role is called.
What to do if you're being underpaid
If you believe your employer is not paying you the minimum wage, start by checking your actual hourly rate. Your average hourly pay is calculated over a "pay reference period," usually the period you're paid for (weekly or monthly). Some elements of pay count towards the calculation; others, such as overtime premiums, may not.
You can use the government's Check Your Pay tool at checkyourpay.campaign.gov.uk to verify whether you're being paid correctly.
If you are being underpaid, raise the issue with your employer. Consider putting your concerns in writing to create a record. If your employer does not resolve it, you can report the underpayment to HMRC, who investigate minimum wage complaints. You can do this anonymously and even after you've left the job. HMRC can require your employer to pay arrears at the current rate and impose financial penalties. Employers who breach minimum wage rules can also be publicly named.
The Fair Work Agency launches on 7 April 2026 as a single enforcement body for minimum wage compliance, holiday pay and statutory sick pay under the Employment Rights Act 2025. It replaces the previous system where HMRC handled minimum wage enforcement separately, and will have powers to conduct proactive investigations without waiting for a worker complaint.
If underpayment forms part of a wider dispute, for example if you've been dismissed after raising a pay complaint, you may want to explore whether you have grounds for a claim at an employment tribunal. Workers are legally protected from dismissal for asserting their right to the minimum wage, and dismissing someone for doing so could amount to automatic unfair dismissal. You would normally need to go through ACAS early conciliation before making any tribunal claim.
It is also worth checking that your employer has given you a written statement of employment particulars, which should set out your pay. If they haven't, that itself could constitute a breach of contract.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in the UK in 2026?
From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour. Workers aged 18 to 20 receive £10.85. Workers under 18 and most apprentices receive £8.00 per hour. These are legal minimums set by the government following Low Pay Commission recommendations.
What is the difference between the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage?
The National Living Wage is the highest band of the minimum wage, applying to workers aged 21 and over. The National Minimum Wage covers younger workers and apprentices at lower rates. Both are legally required. A separate, voluntary Real Living Wage set by the Living Wage Foundation is calculated based on living costs and is currently higher than both.
Do apprentices get the minimum wage?
Apprentices are entitled to at least £8.00 per hour from April 2026 if they are under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship. Once they are 19 or over and past their first year, they move to the standard rate for their age group, which could be as high as £12.71.
Can my employer pay me less than the minimum wage?
No. Paying below the minimum wage is illegal under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998. Even if you've signed a contract agreeing to a lower rate, that clause is not enforceable. Your employer must pay at least the applicable rate for your age.
What should I do if I'm not being paid the minimum wage?
Check your pay using the government's Check Your Pay tool at checkyourpay.campaign.gov.uk. If you're being underpaid, raise it with your employer in writing. If that does not resolve things, report the underpayment to HMRC, who can investigate and require your employer to pay arrears with financial penalties.
When do minimum wage rates change?
Rates are updated every year on 1 April, following recommendations from the Low Pay Commission. The next change will take effect on 1 April 2027. The government's remit for the 2027 rates was published in March 2026.
Does the minimum wage apply to zero-hours contracts?
Yes. If you are classed as a worker, you are entitled to the minimum wage for every hour you work, regardless of your contract type. Zero-hours contracts do not exempt employers from minimum wage obligations.
Is the Real Living Wage the same as the National Living Wage?
No. The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate set by the Living Wage Foundation based on the actual cost of living. It is currently £13.45 across the UK and £14.80 in London. Over 16,000 employers choose to pay it, but it is not a legal requirement.
Sources
- GOV.UK — National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates: https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates
- GOV.UK — Who gets the minimum wage: https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage/who-gets-the-minimum-wage
- GOV.UK — The National Minimum Wage in 2026 (Low Pay Commission report): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-national-minimum-wage-in-2026/the-national-minimum-wage-in-2026
- National Minimum Wage Act 1998: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/39/contents
- ACAS — National Minimum Wage entitlement: https://www.acas.org.uk/national-minimum-wage-entitlement