Guide · Pay
What is the minimum wage in 2026?
The National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates from 1 April 2026, who gets which, and what to do if you’re paid less.
The legal minimum hourly pay went up on 1 April 2026. These are the rates published on GOV.UK:
| Who | An hour |
|---|---|
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 |
| Under 18 | £8.00 |
| Apprentice | £8.00 |
The apprentice rate is for apprentices under 19, or 19 and over in the first year of their apprenticeship. After that, apprentices get the rate for their age.
Under-21 rates on job adverts
Paying under-21s the lower rate for their age is legal, so some adverts show them: the pay for 21 and over first, with an “Under-21 rates” tag, and every age’s rate on the job page. Some say “Minimum wage for your age”, which means you get at least the rate in the table for your age. On UB1UB2 Jobs no rate is ever below the legal minimum for that age, and anyone 21 or over gets the 21-and-over rate.
Good to know
- Tips don’t count towards the minimum wage. They must be passed on to staff in full.
- Your employer can’t take money off your pay for uniform or tools if it takes you below the minimum.
- Time you’re required to be at work counts, like training and being on call at the workplace.
If you’re paid less
Talk to your employer first if you can. If that doesn’t work, Acas gives free, confidential advice on 0300 123 1100, and you can complain to HM Revenue and Customs, who enforce the minimum wage. On UB1UB2 Jobs every advert must pay at least the minimum, and we check.
Jobs paying £14 an hour or more
See all 1Updated 23 October 2026. Facts are from GOV.UK, Acas and Action Fraud; check them for anything that affects you directly.