National Minimum Wage 2026 Expectations
Adult NMW Rate Set To Rise To At Least £12.70 Per Hour
The National Minimum Wage is set to rise in April 2026 to at least £12.70 per hour, following the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations. The final figure will be revealed in the Autumn Budget on 26 November 2025 (and this post will be updated on that day).
The Low Pay Commission has suggested that the National Minimum Wage rate payable to those aged 21 and over should rise from £12.21 to at least £12.70 per hour (4.1% increase). The recommendation follows what the Commission refers to as stronger-than-expected wage growth.
The current figures applicable since 1 April 2025 are:
| Age Range | April 2025 Rate | Rate of Increase | Annual Pay |
| 21 and over | £12.21 | £0.77 (6.7%) | £25,396.80 |
| 18 – 20 | £10.00 | £1.40 (16.3%) | £20,800.00 |
| 16 – 17 | £7.55 | £1.15 (17.9%) | £15,704.80 |
| Apprentices | £7.55 | £1.15 (17.9%) | £15,704.80 |
Figures in the Annual Pay column are based on an employee working 40 hours per week.
The governments intention is to align the 18-20 and 21 and over rates to create a single adult rate. If this is happening in April 2026 it will be confirmed in the budget.
NLW and Tax ThresholdsSomeone aged 21 or older and working 35 hours a week on the current £12.21 NMW will have an annual salary of at least £22,222. With personal tax allowances frozen at £12,570 until 2028, the effect of the new rates will increase the amount that is taxed on the worker, so the full impact of the rise will be lost.
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