Employers are required to pay at least the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over, or the National Minimum Wage for younger workers and apprentices. Minimum hourly rates are updated each year on 1 April, with rates varying by age and apprenticeship status.

The 16.3% rise in the 18–20-year-old rate and the 18.0% increase for 16–17-year-olds and apprentices represent substantial gains for younger workers, aligning with Labour’s goal of a unified minimum wage for all adults. Employers will need to assess these changes carefully to manage payroll budgets effectively in the year ahead.