National Minimum Wage
(NMW)
The National Minimum Wage is the legal minimum hourly pay that most workers in the UK are entitled to. From April 2024, the National Living Wage rate (for workers aged 21+) is £11.44/hr. Lower rates apply to workers aged 18–20 (£8.60/hr), 16–17 (£6.40/hr), and apprentices (£6.40/hr). Employers who fail to pay the minimum wage face fines and must repay underpaid workers.
The National Living Wage (NLW) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) are enforced by HMRC, which can investigate employers, issue penalties of up to 200% of arrears (minimum £100, maximum £20,000 per worker), and publicly name non-compliant employers. From April 2026, the NLW for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71/hour. The NMW for 18–20 year olds is £10.85/hour, for under-18s £8.00/hour, and for apprentices £8.00/hour. Almost all workers are entitled — the key exceptions are genuinely self-employed people, volunteers, and some family workers. Tips and service charges cannot count towards the NMW unless paid through payroll. Workers who believe they have been underpaid can report the employer to the HMRC Pay and Work Rights helpline (0300 123 1100) or via GOV.UK online.
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