What is the National Living Wage in 2026/27?

Full answer

The **National Living Wage (NLW)** and **National Minimum Wage (NMW)** are the legal minimum hourly pay rates in the UK. They are set by the government each April following Low Pay Commission recommendations. **2026/27 rates (from 1 April 2026):** | Age group | Hourly rate | |---|---| | 21 and over (National Living Wage) | **£12.71** | | 18–20 | **£10.85** | | Under 18 | **£8.00** | | Apprentices (under 19, or first year of apprenticeship) | **£8.00** | These rates apply from 1 April 2026, up from the 2025/26 rates of £12.21 (21+), £10.00 (18–20) and £7.55 (under 18/apprentice). **Annual income at NLW (full time, 40 hrs/week, 52 weeks):** £12.71 × 40 × 52 = **£26,436.80/year** — below the higher-rate threshold and above the Personal Allowance. **History of NLW increases:** | Year | NLW rate | |---|---| | 2015 (introduced) | £6.70 | | 2018 | £7.83 | | 2020 | £8.72 | | 2022 | £9.50 | | 2023 | £10.42 | | 2024 | £11.44 | | 2025 | £12.21 | **National Living Wage vs Real Living Wage:** The NLW is a legal minimum. The **Real Living Wage** is a voluntary higher rate calculated by the Living Wage Foundation based on actual cost of living: **£12.60/hour** outside London, **£13.85/hour** in London (2025/26 rates). Over 14,000 UK employers voluntarily pay the Real Living Wage. **Enforcement:** HMRC's National Minimum Wage team enforces minimum wage compliance. Workers who are underpaid have the right to arrears — employers face penalties of 200% of unpaid wages (up to £20,000 per worker) and public naming. Workers can report non-compliance via the Acas helpline (0300 123 1100).

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