National Living Wage April 2026: £12.71 — What You Are Owed and How to Check

Updated April 2026 | Kaeltripton.com

The National Living Wage rose to £12.71 per hour from 1 April 2026 — a 4.1% increase from the previous rate of £12.21. Around 2.7 million workers are expected to benefit. Here is everything you need to know about the new rates, who qualifies, and how to check you are being paid correctly.

New Minimum Wage Rates from 1 April 2026

What Does £12.71 Mean in Annual Salary?

For a full-time worker working 35 hours per week, the increase to £12.71 equates to an annual salary of approximately £23,128 — an increase of around £900 per year before tax compared to the previous rate.

However, the Living Wage Foundation points out that the statutory rate still falls short of the voluntary Real Living Wage — currently £13.45 across the UK and £14.80 in London — which is independently calculated based on actual living costs. A full-time worker on the NLW earns around £1,443 less per year than someone on the Real Living Wage.

How to Check You Are Being Paid Correctly

1. Check your payslip: Your hourly rate must be at least £12.71 if you are 21 or over. For salaried workers, divide your annual salary by your contracted hours to check the implied hourly rate.

2. Check your pay reference period: The new rates apply from the first pay reference period starting on or after 1 April 2026. If you are paid monthly and your pay period started 1 April, your April payslip should reflect the new rate.

3. Training time and travel: Your employer must pay minimum wage for all time spent training and travelling between work sites. If you are not being paid for these, this counts as underpayment.

4. Report underpayment: HMRC enforces minimum wage compliance. Employers who underpay face fines of up to 200% of arrears and can be publicly named. Report underpayment to HMRC via the online form or call 0300 123 1100.

Statutory Family Leave and Sick Pay Changes

From 6 April 2026 (note: different date from the NLW), statutory family leave payments increased to £194.32 per week. The Lower Earnings Limit also rose to £129 per week — employees earning below this level do not qualify for statutory maternity pay and other family-related statutory payments.

Impact on Employers

The British Chambers of Commerce has flagged labour costs as a key pressure point, alongside the employer National Insurance rise from April 2025 (rate to 15%, threshold down to £5,000). Small businesses can claim the Employment Allowance — now up to £10,500/year — to reduce their NI bill.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always verify rates with official sources before making any financial decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the National Living Wage from April 2026?
£12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over, up from £12.21 — a 4.1% increase from 1 April 2026.

Q: What is the minimum wage for under 21s from April 2026?
£10.85/hour for 18-20 year olds (up 8.5%) and £8.00/hour for 16-17 year olds and apprentices (up 6%).

Q: What is the difference between the National Living Wage and the Real Living Wage?
The National Living Wage (£12.71) is the legal minimum set by the government. The Real Living Wage (£13.45 UK, £14.80 London) is a voluntary higher rate set by the Living Wage Foundation based on actual cost of living.