National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage explained

The rates from 1 April 2026

• 21 and over (the National Living Wage): £12.71 an hour
• 18 to 20: £10.85 an hour
• Under 18: £8.00 an hour
• Apprentices under 19, or 19 and over in the first year of their apprenticeship: £8.00 an hour

Apprentices aged 19 or over who have finished their first year get the rate for their age. New rates start every April, from the first pay period that begins on or after 1 April. A birthday that moves someone into a higher band takes effect from the next pay period.

The rates from 1 April 2027 are due to be announced in the Budget on 28 October 2026.

Who is entitled

Workers over school leaving age, including part-time, casual, agency, zero-hours and trainee workers, and anyone paid by the hour, by salary or by the piece. It doesn't matter what the contract says: an agreement to accept less is not binding.

Not entitled: the genuinely self-employed, volunteers, company directors without an employment contract, and family members who live in the employer's home and share in the household work.

What counts as working time

• time spent working, including unpaid time before or after a shift, such as opening up, cashing up or handovers
• training the employer requires, including online training done at home
• travel between jobs or clients during the working day, but not the commute to a usual workplace
• time at work waiting to be given tasks, and trial shifts
• on call time spent at or near the workplace when the worker has to be there, though time when someone is permitted to sleep on a sleep-in shift usually doesn't count

What counts as pay

Basic pay, bonuses and commission count, in the pay period they're paid for. Tips, the extra part of overtime or shift premiums, expenses and most benefits in kind don't count.

Some things reduce pay for minimum wage purposes: salary sacrifice, deductions or payments for things needed for the job (such as a uniform or tools), and any charge for accommodation above the daily offset of £11.10.

Checking pay

Divide the pay that counts by every hour worked in the pay period. For salaried staff, a long month or a busy season can take the hourly rate below the minimum even though the salary looks fine over the year.