The UK National Minimum Wage is £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over from April 2026, £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds, and £8.00 for under-18s and apprentices. In September 2026 the Fair Work Agency named 658 employers, including B&Q and Five Guys, that underpaid 27,600 workers £4.2 million. You can check your own pay and reclaim any shortfall through HMRC.
TL;DR · LAST REVIEWED 4 SEPTEMBER 2026
- The National Minimum Wage is £12.71 an hour for 21+ from April 2026; rates rise every April.
- The Fair Work Agency named 658 employers in September 2026 for underpaying 27,600 workers £4.2 million.
- You can be underpaid without realising through deductions, unpaid time, or a missed birthday pay rise.
UK minimum wage rates from 1 April 2026
| Who | Hourly rate |
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71 |
| 18 to 20 year olds | £10.85 |
| Under 18 | £8.00 |
| Apprentice | £8.00 |
Source: GOV.UK, 2026
KEY FACTS
- The National Minimum Wage is £12.71/hour for 21+ from 1 April 2026 (GOV.UK); rates rise each April.
- The Fair Work Agency named 658 employers in September 2026 for underpaying 27,600 workers £4.2 million, with £7 million in penalties.
- 39 per cent of cases were deductions, such as salary sacrifice, childcare or uniform costs, dropping pay below the minimum.
- 33 per cent were unpaid working time: work before or after a shift, rounded clock-in times, and unpaid travel.
- 16 per cent failed to raise pay when a worker had a birthday or on 1 April; the average underpayment was £154.
What the minimum wage is now
The National Minimum Wage, called the National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over, rose on 1 April 2026 to £12.71 an hour. It is £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds and £8.00 for under-18s and apprentices, and the rates change every April. Almost every worker is entitled to at least these rates. In September 2026 the Fair Work Agency, which took over enforcement from HMRC, named 658 employers that had underpaid 27,600 workers a total of £4.2 million, including B&Q, Five Guys, Whitbread and some NHS trusts.
Three ways you can be underpaid without realising
Most underpayment is not a low headline rate; it is technical, and it can catch salaried staff too. The Fair Work Agency's own breakdown shows the causes. First, deductions: salary sacrifice for childcare or a pension, uniform or dress-code costs, or tools bought from your wage can pull your effective pay below the minimum. Second, unpaid working time: time spent before or after your shift, rounded clock-in times, mandatory training, or unpaid travel between sites. Third, a missed uplift: your pay not rising when you have a birthday into a higher band, or when rates rise on 1 April.
How to check your own pay
The check is simple. Take your total pay for a period, subtract any deductions that are for your employer's benefit or that you have to buy, and divide by the actual hours you worked, including any unpaid time above. If that figure is below your band's rate, you may be underpaid. Look closely at any deduction on your payslip and at whether all your working time is counted. The GOV.UK minimum wage calculator will do the sum for you, and it is worth checking for the current tax year and the one before, as arrears can be recovered.
How to reclaim what you are owed
If you think you are underpaid, raise it with your employer first, in writing, as many cases are genuine errors that are quickly corrected. If that does not resolve it, you can complain free to HMRC through the Fair Work Agency, which can investigate, order back pay for current and former staff, and fine the employer. You do not have to have left the job, and you cannot be treated unfairly for asking. Acas offers free, confidential advice on pay and your rights at work.
RELATED GUIDES
DISCLAIMER
This article is editorial information about pay and employment rights based on GOV.UK and Fair Work Agency sources. It is general information, not legal or financial advice. Check the current rates and rules on GOV.UK and seek advice from Acas or a union representative about your own situation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK minimum wage in 2026
From 1 April 2026 it is £12.71 an hour for those aged 21 and over, £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds, and £8.00 for under-18s and apprentices.
How can I be underpaid without realising
Through deductions such as salary sacrifice or uniform costs that drop your pay below the minimum, unpaid working time before or after shifts, or a missed pay rise on a birthday or on 1 April.
How do I check if I am being paid minimum wage
Divide your pay, after employer-benefit deductions, by the hours you actually worked including unpaid time. Compare it to your band's rate, or use the GOV.UK minimum wage calculator.
What do I do if I am underpaid
Raise it in writing with your employer first. If unresolved, complain free to HMRC through the Fair Work Agency, which can order back pay and fine the employer.
Who was named for underpaying in September 2026
The Fair Work Agency named 658 employers, including B&Q, Five Guys, Whitbread and some NHS trusts, for underpaying 27,600 workers £4.2 million in total.
SOURCES
- GOV.UK: National Minimum Wage rates – accessed 4 September 2026
- GOV.UK: if you have not been paid the right amount – accessed 4 September 2026
