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National living wage

The UK government introduced a new minimum wage rate for all but the youngest workers, the national living wage, in 2016. Initially, it was for those aged 25 and over, but it is now for anyone aged 21 and over.

In 2024, the Labour government confirmed plans to apply the wage rate to all adults.

The national living wage (NLW) is compulsory and the Low Pay Commission (LPC) recommends future rises, maintaining it at two-thirds of median hourly earnings and, from 2025, taking into account the cost of living.

The national living wage is different to the Living Wage, a voluntary pay rate independently set by the Living Wage Foundation. The ‘real’ Living Wage is calculated according to the basic cost of living in the UK.


    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Minimum wage

    More than 200,000 workers to get back pay after NMW investigations

    by Jo Faragher 10 May 2018
    by Jo Faragher 10 May 2018

    HM Revenue and Customs has secured back pay for more than 200,000 workers who did not receive the minimum wage,...

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Minimum wage

    Wagamama and Marriott Hotels failed to pay national minimum wage

    by Ashleigh Webber 9 Mar 2018
    by Ashleigh Webber 9 Mar 2018

    Wagamama, Marriott Hotels and TGI Fridays are among almost 180 employers that have been named by the Government for failing...

    • National living wage
    • Artificial intelligence
    • Automation

    Rising national living wage puts routine jobs at risk of automation

    by Ashleigh Webber 4 Jan 2018
    by Ashleigh Webber 4 Jan 2018

    The rising national living wage could leave some routine jobs at risk of automation, according to a report by the...

    • National living wage
    • Agency workers
    • Bonuses

    What you might have missed: Christmas and New Year round-up

    by Personnel Today 2 Jan 2018
    by Personnel Today 2 Jan 2018

    The first day back at work for many is an inevitable struggle after a much-deserved break over Christmas. But what...

    • National living wage
    • Brexit
    • General Data Protection Regulation

    Five employment law developments to watch out for in 2018

    by Qian Mou 22 Dec 2017
    by Qian Mou 22 Dec 2017

    2018 sees a number of significant domestic employment law developments, including the response to the Taylor report, delayed as the...

    • National living wage
    • Apprenticeships
    • NHS

    Budget 2017: National living wage rise confirmed at £7.83

    by Jo Faragher 22 Nov 2017
    by Jo Faragher 22 Nov 2017

    There were few surprises for employers in today’s budget, the first delivered since the snap general election in June.
    Chancellor...

    • National living wage
    • Trade unions
    • Minimum wage

    TUC calls for overhaul of minimum wage rates

    by Rob Moss 8 Nov 2017
    by Rob Moss 8 Nov 2017

    The TUC is calling on the Government to raise the national living wage to £10 “as quickly as possible” and...

    • National living wage
    • Living Wage
    • Minimum wage

    Living Wage increases to £8.75 per hour

    by Rob Moss 6 Nov 2017
    by Rob Moss 6 Nov 2017

    Living Wage employers will pay their staff at least £8.75 per hour across the UK and £10.20 in London, it...

    • National living wage
    • Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
    • Minimum wage

    Sleep-in payback scheme described as “suicide note” for social care employers

    by Jo Faragher 2 Nov 2017
    by Jo Faragher 2 Nov 2017

    A government scheme designed to help social care providers comply with minimum wage legislation has been described as a “suicide...

    • National living wage
    • Pay & benefits
    • Living Wage

    A quarter of workers are stuck with low pay

    by Jo Faragher 19 Oct 2017
    by Jo Faragher 19 Oct 2017

    A quarter of low paid workers in the UK are stuck in poorly paid jobs, according to the Social Mobility...

    • National living wage
    • Apprenticeships
    • Early careers

    Under-25s earn less for doing the same work, argues charity

    by Jo Faragher 11 Oct 2017
    by Jo Faragher 11 Oct 2017

    Workers aged under 25 are missing out on up to nearly £6,300 per year because they’re not entitled to the...

    • National living wage
    • Minimum wage

    National minimum wage: Avoid the pitfalls of pay averaging

    by Fiona Rushforth and Katie Whitford 21 Aug 2017
    by Fiona Rushforth and Katie Whitford 21 Aug 2017

    Earlier this year it was reported that John Lewis set aside £36 million to compensate for a potential national minimum...

    • National living wage
    • Minimum wage

    Argos tops HMRC’s latest list of national minimum wage offenders

    by Jo Faragher 17 Aug 2017
    by Jo Faragher 17 Aug 2017

    HMRC has published its latest list of employers that have failed to comply with national minimum wage laws, with a...

    • Acas
    • Benefits
    • National living wage

    Good work or bad? Reaction to the Taylor Review

    by Rob Moss 11 Jul 2017
    by Rob Moss 11 Jul 2017

    Any much-anticipated report is likely to divide opinion, and the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices is no different. Rob...

    • National living wage
    • Personnel Today
    • Agency workers

    The Taylor Review: what employers need to know

    by Jo Faragher 11 Jul 2017
    by Jo Faragher 11 Jul 2017

    The long-awaited Taylor Review of modern employment practices emerged today, introduced at a press conference hosted by Prime Minister Theresa...

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