Research and analysis
Minimum wage rates for 2026
This page sets out the Low Pay Commission's advice to the Government on National Minimum Wage rates for April 2026.
Documents
Details
The Government has announced the 2026 increases to the National Minimum Wage, including the National Living Wage. These will be effective from April 2026. The Government accepted in full the recommendations of the independent Low Pay Commission (LPC).
| NMW rate from April 2026 | Increase (£) | Increase (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Living Wage (21 and over) | £12.71 | 50p | 4.1 |
| 18-20 Year Old Rate | £10.85 | 85p | 8.5 |
| 16-17 Year Old Rate | £8.00 | 45p | 6.0 |
| Apprentice Rate | £8.00 | 45p | 6.0 |
| Accommodation Offset | £11.10 | 44p | 4.1 |
This page holds the LPC’s letter of advice to the Government and a short report summarising the evidence Low Pay Commissioners used to reach its recommendations. The LPC’s full annual report will be published in the new year.
Updates to this page
Published 26 November 2025