As of October 2026, the UK minimum wage is £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over (the National Living Wage), £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds and £8 for under 18s and apprentices. These rates have applied since 1 April 2026, and the government changes them every April.
If you employ anyone, even one part-timer on a Saturday, this is the number to get right. GOV.UK puts it plainly: it doesn't matter how small an employer is, they still have to pay the correct minimum wage. Here are the current rates, who they cover, and the deductions that quietly push a decent hourly rate under the legal line.
UK minimum wage rates from April 2026
| Age or status | Hourly rate from 1 April 2026 | Rate from April 2025 to March 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71 | £12.21 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 | £10 |
| Under 18 | £8 | £7.55 |
| Apprentice | £8 | £7.55 |
The National Living Wage is simply the top band of the minimum wage, for workers aged 21 and over. GOV.UK notes that since 1 April 2024 it has applied from 21; before that it started at 23, which is why older articles still quote different age bands.
The apprentice rate has two conditions
Apprentices get the apprentice rate only if they're under 19, or 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship. Once an apprentice aged 19 or over finishes that first year, they move to the normal rate for their age. GOV.UK's own example: an apprentice aged 21 in their first year is entitled to £8 an hour, but the same 21 year old after the first year is entitled to £12.71. Put a reminder in your diary for each apprentice's first anniversary, because that's the date the rate jumps.
Who's entitled, and who isn't
The minimum wage covers anyone classed as a worker who's at least school leaving age, including part-time and casual staff, agency workers, people paid by the number of items they make, trainees, workers on probation, disabled workers and foreign workers. A contract that pays below the minimum isn't legally binding; the worker is still entitled to the correct rate.
GOV.UK lists the groups who aren't entitled. The ones that matter most to small business owners are:
- Self-employed people running their own business
- Company directors
- Volunteers and voluntary workers
- Family members of the employer living in the employer's home
- Workers younger than school leaving age (usually 16)
- Students on a higher or further education work placement of up to one year
- People shadowing others at work
Interns are the grey area. GOV.UK says employers who offer internships, sometimes called work placements or work experience, should check whether the person is entitled. If an intern is doing real work with set hours, assume they're a worker until you've checked.
The deductions that push pay below the minimum
This is where well-meaning employers get caught. GOV.UK lists payments that must not count towards minimum wage pay, and deductions that reduce it. Things that don't count include tips, service charges and cover charges, and extra pay for unsocial hours. Things a worker buys for the job and isn't refunded for, such as tools, a uniform or safety equipment, also come off.
GOV.UK's worked example is worth reading twice. John is 27, works 40 hours a week and earns £13 an hour, which is £520 a week. He pays £15 a week to rent his uniform and it isn't refunded. Take that off and he's left with £505, which is £12.67 an hour: below the £12.71 minimum. A rate that looks safely above the line on paper can fall under it because of one small deduction.
Accommodation is the other trap. If you provide a room, anything you charge above the offset rate counts against minimum wage pay. As of October 2026 GOV.UK gives the offset as £11.10 a day or £77.70 a week.
Checks on who you can lawfully employ are a separate duty, covered in our right to work checks guide.
Records, checks and penalties
- Keep pay and hours records for at least 6 years. GOV.UK says that's the rule for records created on or after 1 April 2021.
- Make sure you can produce the records for one pay reference period in a single document; most employers use payroll records.
- Keep pay reference periods to 31 days or less. Pay is averaged across that period.
- Use the GOV.UK minimum wage calculator for employers to check past pay, then pay any arrears straight away.
GOV.UK is blunt about the downside. It's a criminal offence not to pay the minimum wage or to fake payment records. HMRC officers can check at any time, arrears have to be paid back immediately, there will also be a fine, and offenders might be named by the government. If you run payroll yourself, choosing UK payroll software that flags the current rate saves you working it out by hand each April.
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Hiring a freelancer instead?
The minimum wage applies to workers, not to self-employed people running their own business. That doesn't mean you can call anyone a freelancer to sidestep it: employment status depends on how the work is done, not the label. If you're weighing up how you're set up yourself, my guide to sole trader versus limited company covers the difference for owners, who aren't entitled to the minimum wage either.
My verdict
Pay at least £12.71 to anyone 21 or over, check every deduction against the GOV.UK lists, and set calendar reminders for each April rate change and each apprentice's first anniversary. The employers who get caught out aren't usually the ones paying the bare minimum; they're the ones paying a little above it and then deducting for uniforms or a room without doing the sum.
Employers with a payroll should also see our Employment Allowance guide for how to reduce their National Insurance bill.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in the UK in 2026?
From 1 April 2026 it's £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over, £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds, and £8 for under 18s and apprentices, according to GOV.UK.
What is the difference between the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage?
The National Living Wage is the minimum wage rate for workers aged 21 and over. The National Minimum Wage covers workers from school leaving age up to 20, with lower rates by age.
When does the UK minimum wage change?
GOV.UK says the rates change on 1 April every year.
Do apprentices get the minimum wage?
Apprentices under 19, or 19 or over in the first year of their apprenticeship, get the apprentice rate of £8 an hour. After the first year, apprentices aged 19 or over get the normal rate for their age.
Are company directors entitled to the minimum wage?
No. GOV.UK lists company directors and self-employed people running their own business among those not entitled to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage.
Do tips count towards the minimum wage?
No. GOV.UK says tips, service charges and cover charges must not be included when the minimum wage is calculated.
How long must employers keep minimum wage records?
At least 6 years for records created on or after 1 April 2021, according to GOV.UK.
