National Minimum Wage & National Living Wage Rates April 2026
The government has confirmed the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) rates effective from 1 April 2026.
2026/27 Rates at a Glance
| Age Group | Hourly Rate | Weekly (40hrs) | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (NLW) | £12.21 | £488.40 | £2,117 | £25,397 |
| 18-20 | £10.00 | £400.00 | £1,733 | £20,800 |
| Under 18 | £7.55 | £302.00 | £1,309 | £15,704 |
| Apprentice | £7.55 | £302.00 | £1,309 | £15,704 |
What Changed in April 2026?
The National Living Wage increased by approximately 5.8% compared to the previous year:
| Rate | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLW (21+) | £11.44 | £12.21 | +6.7% |
| 18-20 | £8.60 | £10.00 | +16.3% |
| Under 18 | £6.40 | £7.55 | +18.0% |
| Apprentice | £6.40 | £7.55 | +18.0% |
The significant increase for 18-20 year olds is part of the government's commitment to eventually align all adult rates with the National Living Wage.
Who Qualifies for Which Rate?
National Living Wage (£12.21/hour)
- Workers aged 21 and over
- From April 2024, the qualifying age was lowered from 23 to 21
18-20 Rate (£10.00/hour)
- Workers aged 18, 19, or 20
Under 18 Rate (£7.55/hour)
- Workers under 18 who have left school
- Must still comply with child employment laws
Apprentice Rate (£7.55/hour)
- Apprentices under 19, OR
- Apprentices aged 19+ in their first year of apprenticeship
- After year one, apprentices 19+ move to the age-appropriate rate
Common Questions
Does minimum wage apply to all workers?
Most workers are entitled to NMW/NLW, including:
- Part-time workers
- Agency workers
- Casual workers
- Zero-hour contract workers
- Piece workers
- Home workers
Exceptions include:
- Genuinely self-employed people
- Volunteers
- Company directors
- Family members in family businesses
- Work experience students under 1 year
- Armed forces
What if my employer pays less than minimum wage?
If you believe you're being underpaid, you can:
- Check your payslips against the current rates
- Raise it with your employer
- Contact ACAS for advice
- Report to HMRC anonymously
HMRC can order employers to pay arrears and issue penalties up to 200% of the underpayment.
Does overtime count towards minimum wage?
All hours worked must be paid at least at minimum wage. However, minimum wage is calculated as an average across the pay reference period, not per individual hour.
What about tips?
Tips, gratuities, and service charges cannot count towards minimum wage pay. They must be paid on top.
Employer Obligations
Employers must:
- Pay at least the correct minimum wage rate
- Keep accurate records of hours worked
- Display a minimum wage poster in the workplace
- Not make deductions that take pay below minimum wage (e.g., for uniform)
Related Calculators
- Take Home Pay Calculator - See your net pay at minimum wage
- Income Tax Calculator - Calculate tax on minimum wage earnings
- Hourly to Salary Calculator - Convert hourly rate to annual salary