New minimum wage rates came in on 1 April 2026. Every employer in the UK must pay at least these hourly rates, whatever the size of the business.
| Age or type | Hourly rate from April 2026 | Previous rate |
|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71 | £12.21 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 | £10.00 |
| 16 to 17 | £8.00 | £7.55 |
| Apprentice | £8.00 | £7.55 |
What that means a year
On the National Living Wage, a full-time 37.5-hour week pays £476.63 a week, or about £24,784 a year before tax. That works out at roughly £1,780 a month after tax and National Insurance in England.
Who gets which rate
The apprentice rate applies to apprentices under 19, and to apprentices aged 19 or over in the first year of their apprenticeship. After that they're entitled to the rate for their age.
Check your pay
Use the minimum wage calculator to check you're being paid enough, and the hourly rate calculator to convert between hourly and annual pay. If you think you're underpaid, contact Acas or report it to HMRC, which enforces the minimum wage.
Last reviewed October 2026.