The National Minimum Wage in 2026
This report from the Low Pay Commission looks at the impact of new minimum wage rates in April 2026 and looks ahead at future changes for 2027.
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From 1 April 2026, all rates of the National Minimum Wage, including the National Living Wage, increase. These increases follow recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission in October 2025.
| NMW Rate from April 2026 | Annual increase (£) | Annual increase (per cent) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Living Wage (21 and over) | £12.71 | £0.50 | 4.1 |
| 18-20 Year Old Rate | £10.85 | £0.85 | 8.5 |
| 16-17 Year Old Rate | £8.00 | £0.45 | 6.0 |
| Apprentice Rate | £8.00 | £0.45 | 6.0 |
| Accommodation Offset | £11.10 | £0.44 | 4.1 |
This report sets out the Low Pay Commission’s estimates of some of the immediate impacts of these increases. This includes the increase in the value of the NMW relative to inflation, the impact on household incomes for NLW workers, and the likely number of jobs affected.
Our remit from Government for this year was published on 16 March 2026. It says that two-thirds of median hourly earnings should continue to be the key reference point for future NLW rates, so here we provide indicative estimates of the increases required to achieve this for the 2027 National Living Wage uprating.
Alongside this report, we have published our consultation on minimum wage rates for 2026 and beyond. We welcome submissions from all interested parties. We are also holding regional visits across the UK and invite meetings with any and all other interested parties. If you have something to contribute, please get in touch with us via lpc@lowpay.gov.uk.