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How much is the minimum wage?

Source

www.bbc.co.uk

Published Source updated (as of )

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A young woman with long reddish-brown hair and wearing a dark blue apron stands behind the counter in a brightly-lit cafe, next to an ornate chocolate cake. There is a large coffee machine on the back wall, with piles of empty take-away cups and several boxes of tea bags.

Understand

UK minimum wage rates and rules explained

Overview

Official UK minimum wage rates increased, with the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over rising to £12.71 an hour from 1 April 2026. The National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds increased to £10.85 an hour, and the rate for 16 and 17-year-olds rose to £8. It is a criminal offence for employers not to pay eligible staff the correct wages.

Key points

  • From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour.
  • The National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds has increased to £10.85 an hour.
  • The minimum wage for 16 and 17-year-olds and apprentices in that age group is £8 an hour.
  • Groups such as the self-employed, company directors, volunteers, armed forces members and prisoners do not qualify.
  • It is a criminal offence for employers to fail to pay the correct minimum and living wages.
  • The unofficial Real Living Wage, overseen by the Living Wage Foundation, increases to £14.10 an hour nationally and £15.45 in London in October 2026.
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