National Minimum Wage and Living Wage rates in 2026/27, by age
Published · 3 min read · Figures checked . UK rules and rates change, so check the official sources below before you act.
The legal minimum hourly pay in the UK depends on age and on whether someone is an apprentice. This guide sets out the rates in force since 1 April 2026, who is covered and what counts as working time.
The rates from 1 April 2026
The UK government sets legal minimum hourly pay rates, and they change every year on 1 April. The highest rate is called the National Living Wage. The lower age bands are called the National Minimum Wage. The rates below apply across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the 2026/27 tax year, and GOV.UK lists them as in force from 1 April 2026.
For comparison, the rates from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 were £12.21 for those aged 21 and over, £10.00 for 18 to 20, and £7.55 for under 18s and apprentices.
Which rate applies to whom
- The National Living Wage is for workers aged 21 and over.
- The 18 to 20 rate covers workers in that age band.
- The under 18 rate applies to workers who are under 18 but past school leaving age, which is usually 16.
- The apprentice rate applies to apprentices aged under 19, and to apprentices aged 19 or over who are in the first year of their apprenticeship.
Once an apprentice aged 19 or over has completed the first year, they are entitled to the rate for their age. GOV.UK gives the example of a 21 year old apprentice: £8.00 an hour in the first year, then £12.71 after completing it.
Who is covered
Almost all workers are covered, including part-time, casual, agency and piece-rate workers and homeworkers. Apprentices, trainees and probationary workers are also covered. It does not matter how small the employer is.
Some people are not entitled to the minimum wage. GOV.UK lists several groups, including these:
- Self-employed people running their own business
- Company directors
- Volunteers and voluntary workers
- People below school leaving age
- Members of the armed forces
- Family members of the employer who live in the employer's home
- Some students on placements of up to one year
- People on a Jobcentre Plus work trial of up to 6 weeks
What counts as working time
Minimum wage is worked out on hours that count as working time. According to GOV.UK, these generally include time at work and required to be working, travel in connection with work (for example between work assignments), training and travel to training, and waiting at work for a job to start. Sleep-ins can count where the worker is at work and under work-related responsibilities, even if they are allowed to sleep.
Travelling between home and work does not count. Rest breaks, holiday, sick leave and maternity leave also do not count as working time for this purpose.
Checking pay
GOV.UK has a calculator for workers, called Am I getting minimum wage, that checks whether pay meets the minimum wage and whether anything is owed from the previous year. Many people who think they have been underpaid first raise it with their employer. Free advice is available from the Acas helpline, which GOV.UK links to from its pages on pay and work rights.
Check before you act
Rates change every 1 April and the rules on what counts as working time can be detailed. It can be worth confirming the current figures and your own situation on the official GOV.UK pages linked below. This guide is general information, not advice.
Sources
For information only. See our disclaimer and editorial standards. Spotted an error? Tell us.
