UK Minimum Wage and National Living Wage 2026 — Current Rates and Rules
Current UK minimum wage rates for 2026. National Living Wage, age bands, apprentices, and what to do if you're being underpaid.
·6 min read
Everyone deserves fair pay for their work. Here’s what you need to know about UK minimum wage rates, rules, and your rights.
Current Minimum Wage Rates
Rates typically change each April — check gov.uk for the most current figures
2025/26 Rates (From April 2025)
Age/Category
Hourly Rate
National Living Wage (21+)
Check current rate
18-20
Check current rate
Under 18
Check current rate
Apprentice
Check current rate
Always check gov.uk for the current rates as they change annually.
Historical Rate Increases
Year
National Living Wage (21+)
18-20
Under 18
April 2024
£11.44
£8.60
£6.40
April 2023
£10.42
£7.49
£5.28
April 2022
£9.50
£6.83
£4.81
April 2021
£8.91
£6.56
£4.62
April 2020
£8.72
£6.45
£4.55
Rates have increased significantly over recent years, generally outpacing inflation.
Who Gets Which Rate?
By Age
Your Age
You Get
21+
National Living Wage (highest)
18-20
National Minimum Wage (lower rate)
Under 18 (not apprentice)
National Minimum Wage (youth rate)
Apprentice (first year)
Apprentice rate (lowest)
Apprentice Rate Rules
You get the apprentice rate if:
You’re an apprentice under 19, OR
You’re 19+ and in the first year of apprenticeship
After the first year (or if you’re 19+ and past year one), you get the rate for your age.
When Your Rate Changes
Situation
New Rate Applies
Turn 18
From first pay day after birthday
Turn 21
From first pay day after birthday
Complete apprentice year 1
From first pay day after anniversary
Annual April increase
From first pay day on/after 1 April
Types of “Living Wage”
There are three different things called “living wage” — don’t confuse them:
1. National Living Wage (Government)
Feature
Details
Set by
UK Government
Legal status
Mandatory — employers must pay
Applies to
Workers 21+
Enforced by
HMRC
2. National Minimum Wage (Government)
Feature
Details
Set by
UK Government
Legal status
Mandatory — employers must pay
Applies to
Workers under 21 + apprentices
Enforced by
HMRC
3. Real Living Wage (Voluntary)
Feature
Details
Set by
Living Wage Foundation (charity)
Legal status
Voluntary — encouragement only
Rates
Higher than government rates
London rate
Higher again
The voluntary Real Living Wage is calculated based on what people need to live — it’s higher than the legal minimum. Employers displaying the “Living Wage Employer” logo pay this voluntarily.
Voluntary vs Mandatory Comparison
Type
UK Rate
London Rate
Legal?
National Living Wage
~ £11-12/hr
Same
Yes
Real Living Wage
~ £12/hr
~ £13/hr
No (voluntary)
Calculating Your Pay
Are You Getting Minimum Wage?
Step
Calculation
1
Total pay in pay period (before tax)
2
Minus: tips, premium pay, benefits in kind
3
Divide by hours worked
4
Compare to minimum wage for your age
What Counts as Pay
Counts ✅
Doesn’t Count ❌
Basic hourly/weekly pay
Tips from customers
Incentive pay
Premium for overtime
Performance bonuses
Expenses
Commission
Benefits in kind
Premium for unsocial hours
Pension contributions
Common Situations
Scenario
How It Works
Salaried employee
Salary ÷ contracted hours
Variable hours
Pay ÷ actual hours worked
Piece work
Must average at least min wage
Sleep-ins
Complex — depends on work required
What Counts as Working Time
Time That Must Be Paid
Activity
Must Be Paid?
Regular work duties
✅ Yes
Compulsory training
✅ Yes
Travel between work sites
✅ Yes
Waiting to be given work/at workplace
✅ Yes
On-call at workplace
✅ Yes
Security searches (compulsory)
✅ Yes
Time That May Not Be Paid
Activity
Must Be Paid?
Travel to/from work
❌ No
Lunch breaks
❌ No (if not working)
On-call at home
❌ No (unless called in)
Voluntary training
❌ No
Deductions and Minimum Wage
What Employers Can Deduct
Type
Can Reduce Below MW?
Income tax
Yes (legal requirement)
National Insurance
Yes (legal requirement)
Pension contributions (auto-enrolment)
Yes
Court orders
Yes
Agreed in contract (e.g., loans)
No — can’t take below MW
Uniform/equipment
No — can’t take below MW
Till shortages
No — can’t take below MW
Uniform and Equipment
If your employer requires specific uniform or equipment:
They can require you to buy it
But your pay after deduction must still be at least minimum wage
Many employers provide uniforms free to avoid this issue
“I’ve calculated my pay and it seems below minimum wage — can we check this?”
Be factual
Show your calculations
Keep records
Document conversations
Step 3: Formal Complaint
If informal doesn’t work:
Action
How
Written grievance
Use company grievance procedure
Acas advice
Free, confidential advice
HMRC complaint
They investigate employers
Employment tribunal
For unpaid wages
Reporting to HMRC
What Happens
Details
Anonymous reporting
You can report anonymously
Investigation
HMRC investigates employer
Arrears paid
Employer ordered to pay back wages
Penalties
Employers face fines
Naming and shaming
Public list of offenders
Report online at gov.uk or call the Acas helpline.
Exempt Workers
Some workers are not entitled to minimum wage:
Category
Why Exempt
Self-employed
Not employees (but check status)
Company directors
Unless also employees
Volunteers
Genuine volunteers only
Unpaid family workers
Living in employer’s home
Armed forces
Separate pay scales
Prisoners
Students on work placements (under 1 year)
Part of education
Warning: Some employers wrongly classify people as self-employed or volunteers. If you’re told you’re not entitled but work regular hours with set duties, check your status.