Minimum wage rises from 1 April 2026: What you need to know and how much you’ll get

The national minimum wage, including the national living wage, has gone up from today (1 April 2026). These new rates follow recommendations from the Low Pay Commission (LPC), which advises the government on minimum pay. 

Baroness Philippa Stroud, Chair of the Low Pay Commission, said: “The recommendations we made last autumn sought to balance the need to protect the economy and labour market, whilst providing a real-terms increase for the lowest-paid members of society. 

“A lot has changed since we gave our advice to the Government last autumn, and we are now beginning to gather evidence for recommendations later this year. The current economic uncertainty makes it essential that the Commission hears from those affected by the minimum wage and builds consensus for evidence-based recommendations.” 

The consultation opens at midday today (April 1) and closes on the 26th of June. The commission would like to hear from employers and workers alike as it works on recommendations for next year’s national minimum wage rates.  

Below, we explain the new rates, who is eligible, when the change applies, and how much you’ll earn based on your age and hours. 

New minimum wage rates from April 2026 

As of 2026, the national living wage for those aged 21 and over will be £12.71 which represents an increase of 0.50 per hour or 4.1%.  

The minimum wage for those aged 18 to 20 will be £10.85 which represents an increase of £0.85 or 8.5%. The minimum wage for those aged between 16 to 17 as well as apprentices will be £8 which represents an increase of £0.45 or 6%.  

Who is eligible for the new minimum wage? 

Your minimum wage rate depends on your age and whether you’re an apprentice. 

You get the national living wage if you’re aged 21 or over. You’ll get the corresponding national minimum wage if you’re between 16 to 20 years old or an apprentice.  

What counts as an apprentice? 

You’re on the apprentice rate if you're undertaking an apprenticeship and you’re:  

• aged under 19, or 

• 19 or older but in the first year of your apprenticeship 

Once you complete your first year and you’re 19 or over, you should be paid the correct minimum wage for your age group. 

How much is minimum wage for 37.5 hours a week?

If you work a full time 37.5 hour week, your minimum wage will be £476.63 per week or roughly £24,785 per year in 2026 if you’re aged 21 or over.

If you’re aged 18 to 20, your minimum wage will be £406.88 per week which works out to around £21,157.50 per year.

If you’re aged 16 to 17 or an apprentice, your weekly pay for a full time 37.5 hour week works out to £300 per week or around £15,600 per year in 2026.

How much is minimum wage for 40 hours a week? 

If you work a full time 40 hour will, your minimum wage will be £508.40 per week or around £26,437 per year if you’re aged 21 or over in 2026.  

If you’re aged 18 to 20, it’ll be £434 per week based on a £10.85 hourly rate. This works out to around £22,658 per year in 2026.  

If you’re 16 to 17 or an apprentice, it’ll be £320 per week based on a £8 hourly rate, which works out to around £16,640 per year in 2026.  

When will my employer pay me the new rate? 

Your employer will pay you the new minimum wage from your first full pay period after 1 April 2026. If your pay period began in March, you might only see the new rate for the days worked in April.  

What if I think I’m being underpaid? 

You can check your pay on GOV.UK’s minimum wage calculator. You can also contact Acas for free help. 

Does minimum wage apply if I’m self‑employed?

No, the minimum wage does not apply if you’re self-employed as you run your own business and set your own rate which you negotiate with your clients. But you may still have rights under different types of contracts.

Do part time workers get the new rates? 

Yes, part time workers get the new rates. Minimum wage applies per hour, no matter how many hours you work. 

Do zero hours contracts get minimum wage? 

Yes, zero hours contracts get at least the minimum wage. You must be paid at least the correct hourly rate for every hour worked. 

Why did the minimum wage go up? 

In its recommendations for the increase of the minimum wage, the Low Pay Commission says it tried to strike a balance between helping lower‑paid workers keep up with rising living costs, supporting employers and the wider economy, as well as reacting to the uncertain economic outlook.  

How does the rise affect young workers?

Youth unemployment remains a growing issue, as close to a million young people are not in work, education, or training (NEET). If you find yourself in this position, there's help available and we've signposted to resources for NEETs previously.

The LPC recognises this issue and says the youth labour market is a concern. There are fewer job vacancies in areas where many young people work, such as hospitality and retail. However, the commission says there’s no clear evidence yet that recent rises in the youth rates have harmed job prospects overall.