The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour from 1 April 2026 — set by the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026. Workers aged 18–20 receive £10.85 per hour; under-18s and apprentices receive £8.00 per hour. Enforcement moved to the new Fair Work Agency on 7 April 2026. These are the statutory minimums — your contract may provide more. Updated June 2026.
Source: National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026; National Minimum Wage Act 1998; acas.org.uk/national-minimum-wage.
Check NMW compliance
Use the free NMW compliance calculator to check whether pay meets the current national minimum wage. Enter an hourly rate, age band, and hours worked for an instant compliance result. No sign-up required.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 (Royal Assent 18 December 2025) did not change the national minimum wage rates — those are set annually by separate regulations. However, ERA 2025 made a significant enforcement change from 7 April 2026: the Fair Work Agency was established, consolidating NMW enforcement, labour abuse enforcement, and employment agency standards into a single body with expanded investigative and prosecution powers.
From 2027, zero-hours and low-hours workers gain the right to guaranteed working hours if they want them — an ERA 2025 change that will affect how NMW compliance is calculated for variable-hours workers. For the full ERA 2025 picture, see the Employment Rights Act 2025 hub.
Frequently asked questions
What are the national minimum wage rates from April 2026?+
From 1 April 2026: National Living Wage (aged 21 and over) £12.71 per hour; aged 18–20 £10.85 per hour; under 18 (not an apprentice) £8.00 per hour; apprentice rate £8.00 per hour. These rates apply to all workers — employees, agency workers, and casual workers. Source: National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026; gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates.
Who enforces the national minimum wage from April 2026?+
From 7 April 2026, enforcement is handled by the Fair Work Agency, which consolidated enforcement powers previously held by HMRC's National Minimum Wage team, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, and the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate. Employers who underpay face back-payment orders, penalty notices of up to 200% of underpayment (maximum £20,000 per worker), and criminal prosecution in serious cases. Source: Employment Rights Act 2025; gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates.
Does the national minimum wage apply to zero-hours workers?+
Yes. Workers on zero-hours contracts are entitled to the NMW for every hour worked, at the rate appropriate to their age. The entitlement cannot be waived by contract. Tips and service charges paid by customers do not count towards NMW compliance from 1 October 2024. Source: National Minimum Wage Act 1998, s.1; Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023; acas.org.uk/national-minimum-wage.
What is the difference between the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage?+
The National Living Wage (NLW) is the highest rate band within the National Minimum Wage (NMW) framework. It applies to workers aged 21 and over and is set at £12.71 per hour from 1 April 2026. Workers under 21 receive the age-appropriate NMW band. Both are established under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 — the NLW is not a separate legal entitlement. Source: NMW Act 1998, s.1; gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates.
Does salary sacrifice reduce a worker's pay below the national minimum wage?+
It can. Salary sacrifice arrangements — such as pension contributions, cycle-to-work schemes, or childcare vouchers — reduce the cash pay used for NMW compliance purposes. If salary sacrifice brings a worker's effective hourly pay below the NMW for their age band, the arrangement is unlawful for that worker. Employers must check NMW compliance on the post-sacrifice pay figure. Source: National Minimum Wage Act 1998, s.1; HMRC NMW technical manual; acas.org.uk/national-minimum-wage.
What should I do if I think I'm being paid less than the national minimum wage?+
First, check the current rate for your age band: £12.71 per hour (aged 21 and over), £10.85 per hour (aged 18–20), or £8.00 per hour (under 18 or apprentice), all from 1 April 2026. If you believe you are being underpaid, you can raise the issue with your employer in writing. If that does not resolve it, you can report the underpayment via gov.uk — NMW complaints are submitted through the government's online reporting service, and HMRC investigates cases on behalf of the Fair Work Agency (established 7 April 2026) during the 2026/27 transitional year, with full operational transfer to the FWA expected in April 2027. ACAS can also provide free, confidential advice. Employers found to have underpaid must repay the arrears and can face a penalty of up to 200% of the underpayment. Source: National Minimum Wage Act 1998, s.19; Fair Work Agency Enforcement Policy Statement (gov.uk, 19 May 2026); acas.org.uk/national-minimum-wage.