United Kingdom National Living Wage and NMW April 2026
The National Living Wage applies to workers aged 21 and over. The National Minimum Wage sets lower rates for younger workers and apprentices. Both change each April.
- Aged 21 and over (National Living Wage)
- £12.71 per hour from April 2026.
- Aged 18 to 20
- £10.85 per hour from April 2026.
- Under 18
- £8 per hour from April 2026.
- Apprentice
- £8 per hour from April 2026.
Who gets the minimum wage
A worker must be at least school leaving age to get the National Minimum Wage. The National Living Wage applies from age 21. GOV.UK, Who gets the minimum wage (opens in a new tab).
Workers are also entitled to the correct minimum wage if they are part-time, casual labourers, agency workers, or workers and homeworkers paid by the number of items they make. GOV.UK, Who gets the minimum wage (opens in a new tab).
April 2026 rates
GOV.UK's current-rates table shows the following hourly amounts from April 2026: £12.71 for workers aged 21 and over; £10.85 for workers aged 18 to 20; £8 for workers under 18; £8 for apprentices in the first year of their apprenticeship or aged under 19. GOV.UK, National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates (opens in a new tab).
Apprentice rates
An apprentice is entitled to the apprentice rate if they are aged under 19, or aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship. GOV.UK, National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates (opens in a new tab).
An apprentice aged 21 who has completed the first year of their apprenticeship is entitled to the full National Living Wage rate of £12.71 per hour. GOV.UK, National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates (opens in a new tab).
Worked illustration
A 22-year-old worker paid the National Living Wage for 35 hours a week earns a gross weekly wage of approximately £444.85 before deductions. An 18-year-old worker on the 18-to-20 rate for the same hours earns approximately £379.75 gross per week. These figures use the April 2026 hourly rates and assume constant weekly hours; they exclude employer National Insurance contributions, pension auto-enrolment and other employment costs. The figures are not a guarantee of pay for any particular working pattern.
Scope
This is general information adapted from GOV.UK material under the Open Government Licence v3.0, without endorsement. The site has no National Living Wage or National Minimum Wage calculator. Workers can use the GOV.UK minimum wage calculator, and should contact Acas if they're not getting the National Minimum Wage and think they should be.