Tax & HMRC
⏱ 2 min read
📅 Updated Apr 2026
New Minimum Wage Is £12.21 From April 2026 — Are You Being Paid Correctly?
The National Living Wage rose to £12.21 per hour from April 2026. Here's the full rate table and what to do if you're not being paid correctly.
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Wage Rise — April 2026
From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage increased to £12.71 per hour — a rise above inflation for workers aged 21 and over. If you're employed and haven't seen your pay increase yet, your employer may be breaking the law.
Full Minimum Wage Rates From April 2026
| Worker Category | Rate From April 2026 | Previous Rate | Increase |
|---|
| Aged 21 and over (NLW) | £12.71/hour | £11.44/hour | +£0.77 |
| Aged 18–20 | £10.00/hour | £8.60/hour | +£1.40 |
| Aged 16–17 | £7.55/hour | £6.40/hour | +£1.15 |
| Apprentices | £7.55/hour | £6.40/hour | +£1.15 |
Younger workers got the biggest rise: The government is gradually equalising minimum wage rates across age groups. Workers aged 18–20 saw a £1.40/hour increase — the largest percentage rise of any group.
What Does This Mean in Annual Salary Terms?
| Hours Per Week | Annual Salary at £12.71 | Monthly Take-Home (approx) |
|---|
| 16 hours (part-time) | ~£10,130 | ~£845 |
| 25 hours | ~£15,873 | ~£1,250 |
| 37.5 hours (full-time) | ~£23,810 | ~£1,780 |
| 40 hours (full-time) | ~£25,397 | ~£1,890 |
Am I Being Paid Correctly?
What Employers Must Do
Employers are legally required to pay the new rates from 1 April 2026. Failure to do so can result in HMRC ordering repayment of underpaid wages plus a penalty of 200% of the underpayment, capped at £20,000 per worker. Named employers are also publicly listed by HMRC.
Bottom line: Check your payslip. If you're aged 21+ and earning below £12.71/hour, your employer must have increased your pay from April 2026. If they haven't, you have legal recourse through HMRC — and the process of reporting is straightforward.
By Chandraketu Tripathi · Updated April 2026 · kaeltripton.com
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Editorial Disclaimer
The content on Kaeltripton.com is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, legal or regulatory advice. Kaeltripton.com is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is not a financial adviser, mortgage broker, insurance intermediary or investment firm. Nothing on this site should be construed as a personal recommendation. Rates, figures and product details are indicative only, subject to change without notice, and should always be verified directly with the relevant provider, HMRC, the FCA register, the Bank of England, Ofgem or other appropriate authority before any financial decision is made. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. If you require regulated financial advice, please consult a qualified adviser authorised by the FCA.
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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.
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