Research and analysis

RPC opinion: The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026 impact assessment

The RPC's opinion of the Department for Business and Trade’s impact assessment for the regulations laid in draft before Parliament on 2 February 2026.

• From: Regulatory Policy Committee
• Published: 6 February 2026

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RPC opinion: The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026 impact assessment

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RPC opinion: The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026 impact assessment

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Details

The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026 aim to implement the Low Pay Commission’s recommended minimum wage rates from April 2026. This was announced by the government in the Autumn Budget 2025.

The Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) gave a ‘green’ rating to the impact assessment for the draft regulations on 30 January 2026. This means that we considered the impact assessment to be fit for purpose based on our scrutiny of the evidence and analysis supporting the case for why regulation is necessary. 

The RPC’s opinion refers to the evidence and analysis presented in the impact assessment, not the policy itself.

Published 6 February 2026