National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage

From 1 April 2024, the National Living Wage increased to £11.44 an hour.

As an employer, you need to be aware that the hourly rates for the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage increased from 1 April 2024.

The National Living Wage increased by 9.8%, from £10.42 an hour to £11.44.

At the same time, the rate for the National Minimum Wage has also risen.

Employees underpin every successful business, and it is right that they are treated fairly at work, receive a decent wage and have the opportunity to develop a career.

More than 2 million people across the UK receive the National Living Wage or National Minimum Wage.

Measured increases support Britain's workforce.

What are the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage?

The National Minimum Wage is the minimum hourly pay that most workers in the UK are entitled to by law. The Government sets this rate. Find out who is eligible to receive it.

It was introduced in 2016 at a rate of £7.20, with an initial target to reach 60% of median UK earnings (that is, the amount that falls exactly in the middle of the range of earnings across the entire UK) by 2020.

Since then, the rate has seen significant increases.

The National Minimum Wage varies depending on an employee's age and whether they work as an apprentice.

From 1 April 2024, employers must pay the National Living Wage to workers who are 21 or older. 

The National Living Wage is the highest rate of the National Minimum Wage.