National Minimum Wage and Living Wage UK 2026/27 — Rates and Rights
UK Minimum Wage 2025 Quick Reference
Current National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates by age. What employers must pay and worker rights for different age groups.
A quick reference to UK minimum wage and National Living Wage rates from April 2025.
Current Rates (April 2025)
Hourly Rates
| Age Group |
Hourly Rate |
| 21 and over (NLW) |
£12.21 |
| 18 to 20 |
£10.00 |
| Under 18 |
£7.55 |
| Apprentice |
£7.55 |
Weekly/Monthly Equivalent (Full-Time 37.5hrs)
| Age |
Hourly |
Weekly |
Monthly |
| 21+ |
£12.21 |
£458 |
£1,987 |
| 18-20 |
£10.00 |
£375 |
£1,625 |
| Under 18 |
£7.55 |
£283 |
£1,228 |
Annual (Full-Time)
| Age |
Hourly |
Annual (37.5hr/wk) |
| 21+ |
£12.21 |
~£23,800 |
| 18-20 |
£10.00 |
~£19,500 |
| Under 18 |
£7.55 |
~£14,750 |
Rate Changes
Recent History
| From |
21+ |
18-20 |
Under 18 |
| April 2025 |
£12.21 |
£10.00 |
£7.55 |
| April 2024 |
£11.44 |
£8.60 |
£6.40 |
| April 2023 |
£10.42 |
£7.49 |
£5.28 |
Upcoming Changes
| Date |
Expected |
| April 2026 |
TBC (usually announced Autumn) |
| Review by |
Low Pay Commission |
Who Gets Which Rate
Age Bands
| Your Age |
Rate |
| 21st birthday |
National Living Wage |
| 18th birthday |
18-20 rate |
| Under 18 |
Under 18 rate |
When Rate Changes
| Event |
New Rate From |
| Turn 18 |
Next pay period |
| Turn 21 |
Next pay period |
| Must be |
Automatic |
Apprentices
Apprentice Rate Applies If
| Condition |
Apprentice Rate |
| Under 19 |
Yes |
| 19+ in year 1 |
Yes |
| 19+ after year 1 |
Age-related rate |
After First Year
| Situation |
Rate |
| Apprentice 19+, year 2 |
Age-related rate |
| Becomes |
18-20 or 21+ rate |
Types of Minimum Wage
Understanding the Terms
| Term |
Meaning |
| National Living Wage (NLW) |
Legal minimum for 21+ |
| National Minimum Wage (NMW) |
Legal minimum under 21 |
| Real Living Wage |
Voluntary higher rate |
| London Living Wage |
Voluntary London rate |
Voluntary Living Wages
| Type |
2025 Rate |
| Real Living Wage (UK) |
~£12.60 |
| London Living Wage |
~£13.85 |
| Note |
Voluntary, not legal |
Who Must Be Paid Minimum Wage
Entitled Workers
| Worker Type |
Entitled? |
| Employees |
Yes |
| Agency workers |
Yes |
| Casual/zero hours |
Yes |
| Part-time |
Yes |
| Home workers |
Yes |
| Piece workers |
Yes (on average) |
Exempt
| Situation |
Minimum Wage? |
| Self-employed |
No |
| Volunteers |
No |
| Work experience (1 week) |
No |
| Students on placement |
Varies |
| Company directors |
No (if no contract) |
Checking Your Pay
How to Check
| Step |
Action |
| 1 |
Total gross pay for period |
| 2 |
Divide by hours worked |
| 3 |
Compare to your rate |
What Counts as Hours
| Counts |
Doesn’t Count |
| Working |
Lunch breaks (if unpaid) |
| Training |
Travel to/from work |
| On-call (at workplace) |
On-call at home |
| Waiting time |
Rest breaks |
What Counts as Pay
| Counts |
Doesn’t Count |
| Basic pay |
Tips |
| Incentive pay |
Premium for overtime |
| Bonus |
Benefits in kind |
If You’re Underpaid
Steps to Take
| Step |
Action |
| 1 |
Check calculations |
| 2 |
Speak to employer |
| 3 |
Contact ACAS |
| 4 |
Report to HMRC |
| Organisation |
Purpose |
| ACAS |
Advice |
| HMRC |
Enforcement |
| Citizens Advice |
Free guidance |
Protection
| Right |
Details |
| Can’t be dismissed |
For asking about minimum wage |
| Back pay |
Employer must pay arrears |
| Fines |
For employers breaking law |
Summary
| Rate Type |
April 2025 |
| National Living Wage (21+) |
£12.21 |
| 18-20 rate |
£10.00 |
| Under 18 rate |
£7.55 |
| Apprentice rate |
£7.55 |
| Key Dates |
|
| Rates change |
1 April each year |
| Announced |
Autumn Budget |
| If Issues |
Action |
| Underpaid |
Check, then report |
| Questions |
Contact ACAS |
| Employer non-compliant |
HMRC enforcement |
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