The new National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates have been announced with an implementation date of 1 April 2026.
From 1 April 2026 the new national minimum wage rates will be:
These changes implement the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations. The Low Pay Commission’s current proposal is to reduce the national living wage eligibility age to 20 in 2027. In 2028 or 2029, the Low Pay Commission is anticipating that the national living wage will be lowered to 18 years old, but it will continue to consult on this in due course.
Graham Irons comments:
Whilst the rate increases are not as high as last year, given the Government’s ambition to work towards a single adult rate of pay, there are still significant increases for younger workers, in particular an 8.5% increase for those who are 18-20. Employers will need to review their pay rates and ensure that they are prepared for the April increase.
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