Guidance on Minimum Wage
Minimum Rate Guidance
National Minimum Wage & National Living Wage — Current Rates
Make sure you're paying your staff the right amount — rates change every April and the penalties for getting it wrong can be significant.
Who Gets What?
The National Living Wage (NLW) applies to all workers aged 21 and over. Younger workers are entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) at the rate applicable to their age band. Note that the old "Over 25" and "21–22" age bands no longer exist — they were merged into a single 21+ band from April 2024.
For apprentices, the lower apprentice rate applies to those aged 16–18, and to any apprentice aged 19 or over who is in the first year of their apprenticeship only. All other apprentices are entitled to the NMW rate for their age.
Current & Historical Rates (per hour)
21 & Over (NLW) 18-20 Under 18 Apprentice
April 2026 £12.71 £10.85 £8.00 £8.00
April 2025 £12.21 £9.18 £10.00 £7.55
April 2024 £11.44 £9.18 £8.60 £6.40
April 2023 £10.42 £10.18 £7.49 £5.28
April 2022 £9.50 £9.18 £6.83 £4.81
The April 2026 increases represent a 4.1% rise for workers aged 21 and over, an 8.5% rise for those aged 18–20, and a 6% rise for those aged 16–17 and apprentices.
What's Changing Long Term?
The government has a stated long-term intention to phase out age banding, so that the National Living Wage eventually applies to workers aged 18 and over — not just 21+. The 18–20 rate has been rising significantly faster than the NLW in recent years as part of this gradual convergence, so expect this gap to continue narrowing in future years.
Don't Get It Wrong
Employers who do not pay at least the appropriate minimum wage face penalties as well as being named and shamed by HMRC. In 2024/25, HMRC opened 5,200 new cases and issued around 750 penalties totalling £4.2m to non-compliant employers.
Any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at Info@casa-office.co.uk where we will be happy to help.