Guidance for members on changes to National Minimum Wage
Guidance for members on changes to National Minimum Wage
The Government has announced the rates of the National Living Wage (NLW) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) which will come into force from April 2026. The NLW, which applies to workers aged 21 and over, will rise from £12.21 to £12.71 per hour.
In April 2026 there will be:
- A 50p, or 4.1%, increase to the NLW for those aged 21 and over (from £12.21 to £12.71 per hour)
- An 85p, or 8.5%, increase for those aged 18–20 (from £10.00 to £10.85 per hour), and
- A 45p, or 6%, increase for those aged 16–17 and apprentices (from £7.55 to £8.00 per hour).
National Minimum Wage rates for 2026
The new rates which will come into force from 1 April 2026 are as follows:
| NMW Rate | Increase (£) | Increase (%) | |
| National Living Wage (21 and over) | £12.71 | £0.50 | 4.1 |
| 18-20 Year Old Rate | £10.85 | £0.85 | 8.5 |
| 16-17 Year Old Rate | £8.00 | £0.45 | 6.0 |
| Apprentice Rate | £8.00 | £0.45 | 4.1 |
