Rate of record
Scotland vs the rest of the UK
The NMW is reserved to Westminster. Holyrood adds Fair Work First procurement requirements, Real Living Wage payment as a condition of public-sector contracts, and a devolved Agricultural Wages Order.
What's reserved, what's devolved
- Reserved (UK): NMW rates, NMW enforcement, employment law generally.
- Devolved (Scotland): Agricultural Wages Order, public procurement conditions, Fair Work First framework, public-sector pay policy.
Fair Work First
Public bodies in Scotland are required to apply Fair Work First criteria when awarding grants and contracts. The criteria include payment of the Real Living Wage, no inappropriate use of zero-hours contracts, an effective worker voice, and investment in workforce developmentgov.scot.
Agricultural Wages Order (Scotland)
Scotland sets agricultural minimum wages separately through the Agricultural Wages (Scotland) Order. From 1 April 2026 its minimum is £12.71 an hour for workers of every age, so farm workers aged 16 to 20 get more than the UK youth rates. Agricultural apprentices under 19 or in their first year get £8.00, and workers with an SCQF Level 6+ agricultural qualification get at least £1.91 an hour on topgov.scot.
Public-sector pay policy
The Scottish Government's annual pay policy applies a higher pay floor for its own workforce (well above NMW), and supports the Real Living Wage as a condition of grant funding to third-sector and arms-length bodies.