Minimum Wage UK 2026: National Living Wage Rates from April 2026
UK minimum wage April 2026 — National Living Wage £12.21/hour. All rates by age group.
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Chandraketu Tripathi
Finance Editor, Kaeltripton
Published8 Apr 2026
Last reviewed14 May 2026
✓ Fact-checked
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⚡ National Living Wage UK April 2026 — Updated April 2026 National Living Wage (21+): £12.21/hour | 18–20: £10.00/hour | Under 18: £7.55/hour | Apprentice: £7.55/hour
The National Living Wage increased to £12.21/hour for workers aged 21 and over from 1 April 2026 — a 6.7% increase from £11.44/hour. This is the legal minimum wage for most UK workers.
UK Minimum Wage Rates April 2026
Age Group
Hourly Rate (from April 2026)
Annual (40hrs/week, 52 weeks)
Change from April 2025
21 and over (National Living Wage)
£12.21/hour
£25,396/year
+6.7% (from £11.44)
18–20
£10.00/hour
£20,800/year
+16.3% (from £8.60)
Under 18 (school leaving age+)
£7.55/hour
£15,704/year
+18.0% (from £6.40)
Apprentice (under 19 or first year)
£7.55/hour
£15,704/year
+18.0% (from £6.40)
⚠️ The National Living Wage applies to workers aged 21 and over. The National Minimum Wage applies to younger workers and apprentices at the rates shown above. Both are legal minimums — paying below these rates is a criminal offence.
National Living Wage History UK
Year
NLW Rate (21+)
Increase
April 2020
£8.72/hour
—
April 2021
£8.91/hour
+2.2%
April 2022
£9.50/hour
+6.6%
April 2023
£10.42/hour
+9.7%
April 2024
£11.44/hour
+9.8%
April 2025
£11.44/hour
Frozen
April 2026
£12.21/hour
+6.7%
What Is the Real Living Wage?
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate set independently by the Living Wage Foundation, based on the actual cost of living. It is higher than the government's National Living Wage.
Rate
Amount (2025-26)
Who Sets It
UK Real Living Wage
£12.60/hour
Living Wage Foundation (voluntary)
London Living Wage
£13.85/hour
Living Wage Foundation (voluntary)
National Living Wage (legal minimum)
£12.21/hour
UK Government (mandatory)
What is the minimum wage in the UK in 2026?
The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.21/hour from April 2026. Workers aged 18–20 are entitled to £10.00/hour. Under-18s and apprentices (under 19 or in their first year) receive £7.55/hour.
When did the minimum wage increase in 2026?
The National Living Wage increased from £11.44 to £12.21/hour on 1 April 2026 — a 6.7% increase. The 18–20 rate rose 16.3% to £10.00/hour. Both were announced in the October 2025 Budget.
What happens if my employer pays below minimum wage?
Paying below the National Living Wage is illegal. You can report underpayment to HMRC via GOV.UK/minimum-wage-underpayment. HMRC can force employers to repay arrears and impose fines of up to 200% of underpayment (max £20,000 per worker).
Is the Real Living Wage the same as the National Living Wage?
No — the National Living Wage is the legal minimum set by the government (£12.21/hour for 21+). The Real Living Wage is a higher voluntary rate (£12.60/hour UK, £13.85/hour London) set by the Living Wage Foundation based on actual cost of living. Over 14,000 UK employers voluntarily pay the Real Living Wage.
Sources: Low Pay Commission — National Living Wage April 2026 · GOV.UK National Minimum Wage rates · Living Wage Foundation — Real Living Wage 2025-26 · HMRC minimum wage enforcement
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CT
Chandraketu Tripathi
Finance Editor · Kaeltripton.com
Chandraketu (CK) Tripathi, founder and lead editor of Kael Tripton. 22 years in finance and marketing across 23 markets. Writes on UK personal finance, tax, mortgages, insurance, energy, and investing. Sources: HMRC, FCA, Ofgem, BoE, ONS.
