Minimum wage 2026: what UK workers need to know before April 2026
If you are searching for minimum wage 2026, you are likely trying to answer one practical question: what will the legal hourly pay floor be in the UK from April 2026, and what does it mean for your payslip? This page sets out the confirmed changes, explains the timing, and highlights what UK workers should check when the new rates take effect.
Minimum wage changes can feel technical, but the impact is straightforward. For many working households, even small hourly increases can affect monthly budgeting, overtime earnings, and overall stability. The Workers Union’s approach is to keep the information clear, factual, and focused on what workers can do next.
National minimum wage 2026 and the April 2026 rate rise
The UK minimum wage rates change each year on 1 April.
The Government has confirmed that from 1 April 2026 the minimum wage rates will increase, including the National Living Wage (the minimum wage rate for workers aged 21 and over).
UK minimum wage 2026 rates from 1 April 2026
The confirmed uk minimum wage 2026 rates from 1 April 2026 are:
- Age 21 and over (National Living Wage): £12.71 per hour
- Age 18 to 20: £10.85 per hour
- Under 18: £8.00 per hour
- Apprentice: £8.00 per hour
These figures are the key reference point for searches such as minimum wage 2026 uk, uk minimum wage 2026, and minimum wage uk 2026, and they apply from the start of April 2026.
UK minimum wage changes April 2026: what this means
When people look up uk minimum wage changes april 2026, they are usually checking whether they should see an uplift automatically. In most cases, if you are paid at or close to the legal minimum for your age band, your hourly rate should be updated from the first pay period that covers work done on or after 1 April 2026.
Two practical points matter for UK workers:
- Your age band is important. The applicable rate depends on your age and whether you are classed as an apprentice under the rules.
- Pay compliance is about more than the headline rate. Deductions or unpaid working time can affect whether you are actually receiving at least the legal minimum when averaged across pay reference periods.
If you believe your pay has not been updated correctly after the April 2026 change, it is sensible to keep clear records (hours worked, payslips, rota patterns, and any deductions) and raise the issue promptly and professionally.
UK minimum wage rise April 2026 and the background to the decision
The Government stated it accepted the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations in full for the April 2026 minimum wage rates, including the National Living Wage.
This matters because many workers and employers look for reassurance that the increase is evidence-based, considers economic conditions, and is linked to a broader assessment of earnings and costs.
UK minimum wage forecast April 2026: what was expected and what is now confirmed
A frequent search term is uk minimum wage forecast april 2026, often used months ahead of the annual change. In 2025, the Low Pay Commission’s evidence base discussed maintaining the National Living Wage at no less than two-thirds of median earnings and took account of cost-of-living and wider economic factors. In the Commission’s published material, an estimate range around the two-thirds median earnings measure was noted, alongside the recommended April 2026 rate.
Now, the position for April 2026 is confirmed: the National Living Wage is set to rise to £12.71 per hour from 1 April 2026.
Minimum wage 2025-2026: the year-to-year comparison many workers check
Searches for minimum wage 2025-2026 are usually about comparing the previous rate year with the upcoming one. For context, the GOV.UK rates page lists April 2025 rates (for example, £12.21 for age 21 and over) and the April 2026 rates (for example, £12.71 for age 21 and over).
This comparison can help workers quickly spot what should change on their hourly rate line when April 2026 begins.
How The Workers Union can help UK workers
The Workers Union supports UK workers with practical guidance on work-related issues that affect real lives and real payslips. If you are uncertain which minimum wage band applies to you, or you want to sense-check whether your working time and deductions mean you are receiving at least the legal minimum, we can help you think through the next steps and what information is most useful to gather.
Our priority is clear: UK workers should be able to understand their pay, check it confidently, and address concerns early, calmly, and accurately.
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