UK minimum wage rates for 2026: What workers and employers need to know
Workers aged 21 and over are entitled to at least £12.71 an hour, while younger employees and apprentices have different legal rates.
By BBC News
Millions of workers across the UK are entitled to higher minimum hourly pay following changes to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage introduced in April 2026.
The legal minimum wage depends on a worker’s age and whether they qualify for the apprenticeship rate.
From 1 April 2026, employees aged 21 and over must receive at least £12.71 an hour under the National Living Wage.
For workers aged 18 to 20, the minimum hourly rate is £10.85, while those under 18 who are above compulsory school age are entitled to £8.00.
The minimum rate for eligible apprentices is also £8.00 an hour.
Apprentices under 19 qualify for the apprenticeship rate, as do those aged 19 and over during the first year of their apprenticeship.
Once an apprentice aged 19 or over completes their first year, they must receive the minimum wage applicable to their age group.
The rules apply across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including employers and employees throughout Cheshire.
For someone aged 21 or over working 37.5 hours a week, the £12.71 hourly rate is equivalent to approximately £24,785 a year before tax and other deductions.
A worker on the same hourly rate completing a 40-hour week would earn approximately £26,437 annually before deductions.
These figures assume paid hours remain consistent throughout the year and do not include overtime or additional payments.
Employers are legally required to pay eligible workers at least the appropriate minimum wage.
The rules cover more than basic hourly pay. Employers must also ensure that deductions, unpaid working time and other pay arrangements do not result in workers receiving less than their legal entitlement.
HM Revenue and Customs is responsible for enforcing minimum wage legislation.
Businesses that fail to comply can be required to repay underpaid wages and may face financial penalties.
In March 2026, the government announced enforcement action involving 389 employers, with approximately £7.3 million owed to around 60,000 workers and penalties totalling approximately £12.6 million.
The statutory National Living Wage should not be confused with the voluntary Real Living Wage.
The Real Living Wage is calculated by the Living Wage Foundation using estimates of everyday living costs and is paid voluntarily by participating employers.
Unlike the statutory minimum wage, it is not a legal requirement.
Workers who believe they are being paid below the minimum wage can check their entitlement using the government’s online guidance and calculator.
They can also seek advice from Acas or report suspected underpayment through the government’s minimum wage enforcement process.