Millions of workers to see minimum wage rise in April 2026

From April 2026 the National Living Wage for people aged 21 and over will increase from £12.21 to £12.71 an hour, and National Minimum Wage rates for younger workers and apprentices will also rise.

Millions of UK workers will see statutory hourly pay rates increase from April 2026. The government announced rises to the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage in November 2025. The changes apply to employees based on age and cover both full- and part-time roles. Some groups, including the self-employed, volunteers and company directors, are not covered by the statutory rates. Key details: - For people aged 21 and over the National Living Wage will rise from £12.21 to £12.71 an hour (a 4.1% increase) from April 2026. - The rate for 18 to 20-year-olds will increase from £10.00 to £10.85 an hour from April 2026. - For under-18s and apprentices the minimum wage will increase from £7.55 to £8.00 an hour from April 2026. - The Real Living Wage is set at £13.45 an hour outside London and £14.80 an hour inside London, and employers are asked to implement these rates by May 2026. - The announcement quoted Chancellor Rachel Reeves saying the rises aim to help those on low incomes. - The article notes ACAS and HMRC as bodies referenced for resolving pay disputes. Summary: The changes raise statutory hourly pay for many workers when they take effect in April 2026, with voluntary Real Living Wage rates to be implemented by May 2026. The article reports routes such as ACAS and HMRC for disputes about underpayment; further policy steps were not detailed.