The National Living Wage from April 2027 will be confirmed in autumn 2026. Current reference rates and context below.
Last reviewed: May 2026. The April 2027 National Living Wage will be announced in autumn 2026 following Low Pay Commission recommendations. This page will be updated when confirmed.
National Minimum Wage and Living Wage Rates — Reference 2025/26
| Age group | Hourly rate (2025/26) | Status for April 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (NLW) | £12.21 | TBC — announced autumn 2026 |
| 18–20 | £10.00 | TBC |
| 16–17 | £7.55 | TBC |
| Apprentices | £7.55 | TBC |
April 2027 rates will be confirmed by the government in autumn 2026. This table will be updated.
NLW Rate History
| Year | NLW rate (21+) | % increase |
|---|---|---|
| April 2021 | £8.91 | — |
| April 2022 | £9.50 | +6.6% |
| April 2023 | £10.42 | +9.7% |
| April 2024 | £11.44 | +9.8% |
| April 2025 | £12.21 | +6.7% |
| April 2026 | TBC | TBC |
| April 2027 | TBC | TBC |
Full-Time Annual Earnings at the NLW
(Using 2025/26 rate of £12.21/hour as reference)
| Hours/week | Weekly (£12.21) | Annual | NMW for under 21 (£10.00/hr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 hrs | £244.20 | £12,698 | £10,400 |
| 30 hrs | £366.30 | £19,048 | £15,600 |
| 37.5 hrs | £457.88 | £23,810 | £19,500 |
| 40 hrs | £488.40 | £25,397 | £20,800 |
Tax and NI on National Living Wage
At the NLW rate for a full-time worker (37.5 hrs, ~£23,810/year — 2025/26 reference):
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Annual earnings | ~£23,810 |
| Income tax (20% on earnings above £12,570) | ~£2,048 |
| Employee NI (8% on earnings above £12,570) | ~£899 |
| Take-home pay (approx.) | ~£20,863 |
Actual 2027/28 figures depend on confirmed NLW rate and any NI threshold changes.
Employer NI Implications
From April 2025, the employer NI threshold was reduced to £5,000 (from £9,100), and the employer NI rate increased to 15%. For minimum wage workers:
- A full-time employee at NLW costs the employer NI on all earnings above £5,000
- Small employers get the Employment Allowance (£10,500/year from April 2025)
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Enforcing Your Right to the National Living Wage
If you believe you are being paid below the NLW:
- Check your payslip carefully — ensure your actual hourly rate (gross pay ÷ contracted hours) is at or above the NLW for your age group
- Raise it with your employer first — if the underpayment is genuine, many employers correct it quickly when notified
- Report to HMRC — HMRC enforces NLW and can investigate underpayments. Report confidentially at gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-enquiry or call 0800 917 2368
- Employment tribunal — if your employer refuses to pay or dismisses you for complaining, you can claim unlawful deduction from wages and potentially unfair dismissal
Employers found to have underpaid face:
- Arrears of all underpaid wages (going back up to 6 years)
- Financial penalty of 200% of the underpayment (up to £20,000 per worker)
- Public naming on HMRC’s published list of non-compliant employers
Tipped workers should note that employers cannot use customer tips or service charges to make up the NLW — the minimum wage must be met from the employer’s own payment.