Low Pay Commission regional visits 2026
The Low Pay Commission is calling for employers and workers to meet with us to discuss the National Living Wage.
The Low Pay Commission is holding meetings with individuals and employers. We want to hear first-hand evidence about the impact of the National Minimum Wage. Your evidence will help shape our recommendations to the Government on the future of the minimum wage.
Low Pay Commissioners will be visiting the following locations in 2026:
| Location | Date |
|---|---|
| Bradford | 18/19 March 2026 |
| Aberdeen | 15/16 April 2026 |
| Blackpool | 13/14 May 2026 |
| Peterborough | 10/11 June 2026 |
| Wrexham | 01/02 July 2026 |
| Derry | 29/30 July 2026 |
Who we are
The Low Pay Commission, or LPC, is the independent body which advises the Government on the National Minimum Wage. Commissioners are drawn from different backgrounds, representing the interests of workers, employers and independent experts.
What we do
We make recommendations to the Government on the level of the minimum wage and on related issues which affect workers and employers. To do this, we draw on the latest data on the labour market and economy, and first-hand testimony from those directly affected by the minimum wage. We work through the year to gather evidence. Commissioners negotiate and agree recommendations in the autumn, and we publish an annual report setting out our advice alongside the evidence and analysis we relied on.
What we want to talk about
We want to hear from you about:
- The economy and labour market in your area
- The outlook for pay and employment in your business
- How employers and workers are affected by the rising minimum wage
- Your views on the future of the minimum wage
What we do with your evidence
Your evidence will help shape Low Pay Commissioners’ thinking about the next steps for the National Minimum Wage, including when they negotiate and agree rates in autumn 2026. All the evidence we hear and data we used are summarised in our annual report. Anything you tell us will be treated in confidence. All evidence will be anonymised as appropriate, and nothing attributed to you without your permission.
What is the current minimum wage?
The table below sets out the current minimum wage rates as well as our most recent recommendations, which will come into effect on 1 April 2026.
| Rate from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 | Rate from 1 April 2026 | Increase (per cent) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Living Wage (21+) | £12.21 | £12.71 | 4.1 |
| 18-20 Year Old Rate | £10.00 | £10.85 | 8.5 |
| 16-17 Year Old Rate | £7.55 | £8.00 | 6.0 |
| Apprentice Rate | £7.55 | £8.00 | 6.0 |
| Accommodation Offset | £10.66 | £11.10 | 4.1 |
How to contact us
If you’re interested in taking part, please email Joseph.Wilkinson@lowpay.gov.uk or Duncan.Michie@lowpay.gov.uk or phone us on 07720 166271.