UK National Minimum Wage · Rate of record · 22 June 2026
UK minimum wage rates,
effective 1 April 2026.
National Living Wage
21+18 to 20
18-2016 to 17
16-17Apprentice
under 19 or yr 1Direct answer
The UK National Minimum Wage from 1 April 2026 is £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over (the National Living Wage), £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds, £8.00 for 16 to 17 year olds and apprentices in year one or under 19, and the daily accommodation offset is £11.10gov.uk.
Confirmed: minimum wage from 1 April 2027
21 and over £13.21 · 18 to 20 £11.27 · 16 to 17 and apprentice £8.31 · offset £11.53/day.
Every band rises 3.9%. The government accepted the Low Pay Commission's advice in full on 28 October 2026gov.uk. The 2026/27 rates above stay the legal minimum until 31 March 2027. All April 2027 changes →
Take-home
Hours × band rate → gross trio + net after 2026/27 PAYE and Class 1 NI.
Am I being underpaid?
Payslip diagnostic that flags NMW breach and totals 6-year back-pay.
Accommodation offset
Max permitted rent deduction without breaching NMW.
Salary sacrifice floor
Where pension sacrifice tips post-sacrifice pay below NMW.
By band
By sector
Quick FAQ
What is the UK minimum wage in 2026?
From 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour. The 18 to 20 rate is £10.85, the 16 to 17 rate is £8.00 and the apprentice rate is £8.00.
When did the current rates take effect?
All four current statutory rates took effect on 1 April 2026 and apply to the first pay reference period starting on or after that date.
What is the accommodation offset for 2026/27?
£11.10 per day, equal to £77.70 per seven-day week. That is the maximum value of employer-provided accommodation that can count toward minimum-wage pay.
When is the next minimum wage increase?
1 April 2027. The National Living Wage rises to £13.21 an hour for workers aged 21 and over, the 18 to 20 rate to £11.27, and the 16 to 17 and apprentice rates to £8.31. The government accepted the Low Pay Commission's advice in full on 28 October 2026.
Independent reference. Not legal advice. Always verify current rates at gov.uk.