National minimum wage rates for April 2026 confirmed

From 1 April 2026, statutory pay rates across the UK will increase. Under the new rules:

• The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over will rise from £12.21 to £12.71 per hour — a 4.1% increase.
• For those aged 18–20, the National Minimum Wage will increase £10.00 to £10.85 per hour — an 8.5% uplift.
• For 16–17 year-olds and apprentices, the hourly rate will rise to £8.00 (from £7.55) — around a 6% increase.

These changes will provide a noticeable uplift for full-time minimum-wage workers, particularly younger employees.

What’s driving this change

The increase reflects the recommendation from the Low Pay Commission (LPC), and the Government’s acceptance of this advice.

With inflation and cost-of-living pressures still high, the intention is to support low-paid workers. However, business groups warn of added cost pressures for employers, especially SMEs, which may affect hiring and operational costs.

What employers need to do now

If you run a business, these changes mean a few immediate actions:

• Review pay bands, contracts and payroll — make sure no employee is paid below the new statutory minimum from 1 April 2026.
• Update shift-patterns, budgets, and staffing costs — account for increased labour expense; for many small organisations, this could materially affect cost structures.
• Communicate with staff — especially younger workers and apprentices, to explain what the change means for them.
• Consider wider workforce planning — e.g. automation, productivity, staffing levels, or pricing adjustments to mitigate increased wage costs.