The National Living Wage rates/National Minimum Wage rates all change annually on the 1st April. Employers need to ensure that they make the necessary adjustments.
This is a freeview 'At a glance' guide of current and historic National Living Wage/National Minimum Wage rates.
Current rates
The Chancellor announced increases in the National Living Wage (NLW) and the National Minimum Wage (NMW) before the Autumn Budget 2024.
| From | 1/4/2025 | 1/4/2024 | 1/4/2023 |
| Age (years) | £ | £ | £ |
| 23+* | 12.21 | 11.44 | 10.42 |
| 21-22* | 12.21 | 11.44 | 10.18 |
| 18-20** | 10.00 | 8.60 | 7.49 |
| 16-17 | 7.55 | 6.40 | 5.28 |
| Apprentices U/19*** | 7.55 | 6.40 | 5.28 |
| Accommodation offset rate: per hour | 10.66 | 9.99 | 9.10 |
Past rates
| From | 1/4/2022 | 1/4/2021 | 1/4/2020 | 1/4/2019 | 1/4/2018 | 1/4/2017 | 1/4/2016 | 1/4/2015 | 1/4/2014 |
| Age (years) | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| 25+/23+* | 9.50 | 8.91 | 8.72 | 8.21 | 7.83 | 7.50 | 7.20 | ||
| 21-24/21-22 | 9.18 | 8.36 | 8.20 | 7.70 | 7.38 | 7.05 | 6.95 | 6.70 | 6.50 |
| 18-20** | 6.83 | 6.45 | 6.45 | 6.15 | 5.90 | 5.60 | 5.55 | 5.30 | 5.13 |
| 16-17 | 4.81 | 4.62 | 4.55 | 4.35 | 4.20 | 4.05 | 4.00 | 3.87 | 3.79 |
| Apprentices U/19*** | 4.81 | 4.30 | 4.15 | 3.90 | 3.70 | 3.50 | 3.40 | 3.30 | 2.73 |
*National Living Wage' (NLW) was introduced for workers over 25 years from April 2016. From 1 April 2021, the age for the NLW was been lowered to 23 years and above. From 6 April 2024, the age for the NLW was lowered further to 21 years and above.
**Also for workers aged 21 years and above, starting a new job with an employer and doing accredited training (a course approved by the UK government to obtain a vocational qualification).
***An apprentice rate for apprentices who are under 19 or, 19 and over their first year of apprenticeship. All other apprentices are entitled to the NMW for their age band.
