VERIFIED 22 JUNE 2026against gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-ratesby Oliver Wakefield-Smith
minimumwagerates.co.uk

Rate of record

UK minimum wage 2025

The 2025/26 rates effective 1 April 2025 were £12.21 NLW, £10.00 for 18-20, £7.55 for 16-17 and apprentices, with a £10.66/day accommodation offset.

Rates effective 1 April 2025

  • NLW (then-current threshold): £12.21/hr
  • 18-20 (or development rate): £10.00/hr
  • 16-17: £7.55/hr
  • Apprentice: £7.55/hr
  • Accommodation offset: £10.66/day

Primary source: gov.uk announcement

Uplift vs 1 April 2024

  • NLW: +6.7% (£0.77)
  • 18-20: +16.3%
  • 16-17: +18.0%
  • Apprentice: +18.0%

Context

The 21+ NLW threshold landed in April 2024 was carried forward. The 18-20 uplift of 16.3% was the largest single-year proportional move for that band and signalled the LPC's path to a single 21+ NLW.

21+ NLW threshold (landed 1 Apr 2024) carried forward. Uplifts: NLW +6.7%, 18-20 +16.3%, 16-17/apprentice +18%.

Full ledger including this year

Effective21+ NLWYoY18-2016-17ApprenticeOffset / day
1 April 2026£12.71+4.1%£10.85£8.00£8.00£11.10
1 April 2025£12.21+6.7%£10.00£7.55£7.55£10.66
1 April 2024£11.44+9.8%£8.60£6.40£6.40£9.99
1 April 2023£10.42+9.7%£7.49£5.28£5.28£9.10
1 April 2022£9.50+6.6%£6.83£4.81£4.81£8.70
1 April 2021£8.91+2.2%£6.56£4.62£4.30£8.36
1 April 2020£8.72+6.2%£6.45£4.55£4.15£8.20
1 April 2019£8.21+4.9%£6.15£4.35£3.90£7.55
1 April 2018£7.83+4.4%£5.90£4.20£3.70£7.00
1 April 2017£7.50+4.2%£5.60£4.05£3.50£6.40
1 April 2016£7.20 - £5.30£3.87£3.30£5.35
1 October 2015 - - £5.30£3.87£3.30£5.35
1 April 1999 - - £3.00 - - -