Legislation
National Minimum Wage
Date
Effective 1 April 2025
Summary
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) sets the legal minimum hourly pay for worker in the UK, ensuring fair compensation across various age groups and roles.
For the current and previous tax year, the rates are as follows:
Age bracket | NMW current rate | NMW April 2025 onwards | % increase |
---|---|---|---|
National Living Wage (21+) | £10.42 | £12.21 | 6.7% |
NMW 16-17 | £6.40 | £7.55 | 18% |
NMW 18-20 | £8.60 | £10.00 | 16.3% |
Apprentice | £6.40 | £7.55 | 18% |
Accommodation offset | £9.99 | £10.66 | 6.7% |
Note that the National Minimum Wage is the minimum pay per hour almost all workers are entitled to by law. Use the National Minimum Wage calculator to check if you’re paying a worker the National Minimum Wage or if you owe them payments from past years.
Remember: the new rates apply to any pay period that includes work done on or after 1 April 2025.

Tax fact card 2025 – 2026
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