Answers · UK 2025/26
What is the National Living Wage UK 2025?
The National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour from 1 April 2026, up from £12.21. At 37.5 hours a week that is £24,784/year gross (about £20,720 take-home). Workers under 21 are on National Minimum Wage rates.
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Rates from 1 April 2026: National Living Wage (21+) £12.71/hr; 18–20 rate £10.85/hr; 16–17 rate £8.00/hr; Apprentice rate £8.00/hr (for apprentices under 19, or 19+ in first year). The NLW applies to workers aged 21 and over on any contract type — permanent, part-time, agency, zero-hours. Employers must comply or face penalties from HMRC of up to £20,000 per underpaid worker plus naming and shaming. Note: the NLW is the legal minimum, not a living wage — the Real Living Wage (calculated by the Living Wage Foundation) is higher: £12.60 outside London, £13.85 in London. Full-time annual equivalents: NLW at 37.5 hrs/week = £24,784 (take-home ~£20,720 after tax/NI at 2026/27 rates). At 40hrs/week = £26,437 (take-home ~£21,860).
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This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.