The National Living Wage, the legal minimum hourly rate for workers aged 21 and over, will rise by 50p to £13.21 from 1 April 2027. The government announced the new National Minimum Wage rates on 28 October 2026, the day of the Autumn Budget, accepting the Low Pay Commission recommendations in full, and every age band rises by 3.9%. This guide sets out the new rates, what they mean in weekly pay and what employers should check before April.
Some pre-Budget reports quoted £13.20, but the official figure published on GOV.UK is £13.21, so we use the GOV.UK numbers throughout. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.
The new minimum wage rates from April 2027
All rates are per hour. The April 2027 figures are announced but not yet in force, so the April 2026 rates still apply until 31 March 2027.
| Age group | From April 2026 | From April 2027 | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71 | £13.21 | 50p (3.9%) |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 | £11.27 | 42p (3.9%) |
| 16 to 17 | £8.00 | £8.31 | 31p (3.9%) |
| Apprentice | £8.00 | £8.31 | 31p (3.9%) |
| Accommodation offset (per day) | £11.10 | £11.53 | 43p (3.9%) |
The Low Pay Commission submitted its recommendations to the government on 23 October 2026, and the government accepted them in full when GOV.UK published the new rates on 28 October 2026. For the wider picture of that announcement, see our Autumn Budget 2026 summary.
What the rise means in your pay packet
The table shows gross pay, before tax and National Insurance, for a worker aged 21 or over paid exactly the minimum. Weekly figures are rounded to the nearest penny and yearly figures assume 52 weeks.
| Hours a week | Weekly now (£12.71) | Weekly from April 2027 (£13.21) | Extra a week | Extra a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | £203.36 | £211.36 | £8.00 | £416 |
| 20 | £254.20 | £264.20 | £10.00 | £520 |
| 30 | £381.30 | £396.30 | £15.00 | £780 |
| 37.5 | £476.63 | £495.38 | £18.75 | £975 |
| 40 | £508.40 | £528.40 | £20.00 | £1,040 |
Your take-home gain will be smaller once income tax and National Insurance come off, and depending on your circumstances other support may change too. The state pension also rises in April 2027, which we cover in our state pension guide.
Who gets which rate
- National Living Wage: workers aged 21 and over.
- 18 to 20 rate: workers in that age range.
- 16 to 17 rate: workers under 18 who are above compulsory school age.
- Apprentice rate: apprentices under 19, or aged 19 and over in the first year of their apprenticeship.
The gap between the 18 to 20 rate and the adult rate does not narrow this time, because both rise by 3.9%. In April 2026 the 18 to 20 rate rose by 8.5%, as the government works towards a single adult rate, according to employment law commentary.
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What employers should do before April
- Update payroll software with the new rates ahead of the first pay period that starts on or after 1 April 2027, and check GOV.UK guidance on pay reference periods.
- Check salaried staff by dividing pay by the hours actually worked, including unpaid overtime, to confirm the effective hourly rate stays above the minimum.
- Watch birthdays: a worker who turns 21 moves up to the National Living Wage rate.
- Review apprentices: the apprentice rate applies in the first year or until they reach 19.
- Update your costs and prices. If you sell your own time, our guide to pricing your services shows how to work out a sensible hourly rate.
Real Living Wage: a different, voluntary rate
Do not confuse the legal minimum with the Real Living Wage. The Living Wage Foundation announced new voluntary rates on 15 October 2026: £14.10 an hour across the UK and £15.45 in London. Accredited employers choose to pay them, and they sit about 89p and £2.24 above the April 2027 legal rate.
Frequently asked questions
When does the National Living Wage rise to £13.21?
On 1 April 2027. Until then the rate for workers aged 21 and over stays at £12.71.
Does the rise apply to under-21s?
Younger workers have their own age-band rates, and each rises by the same 3.9%: £11.27 for 18 to 20, and £8.31 for 16 to 17 and apprentices.
Is the minimum wage figure before or after tax?
It is a gross hourly rate, so it is calculated before tax and National Insurance.
What if I think I am paid below the minimum?
Raise it with your employer first. You can then ask Acas for free advice or report the issue to HMRC, which enforces the National Minimum Wage.
Sources: GOV.UK and the Low Pay Commission announcement of 28 October 2026, Living Wage Foundation announcement of 15 October 2026. We are not licensed financial or legal advisers, so check GOV.UK for your own situation.
