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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
    • Case law
    • Latest News

    Minimum wage exemption for live-in workers removed

    by Ashleigh Webber 11 Jan 2024
    by Ashleigh Webber 11 Jan 2024

    The live-in domestic worker exemption under the national minimum wage regulations is being removed on 1 April 2024.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Living Wage

    BrewDog withdraws ‘real’ Living Wage pledge

    by Jo Faragher 10 Jan 2024
    by Jo Faragher 10 Jan 2024

    BrewDog has withdrawn from the voluntary 'real' Living Wage scheme, causing anger among staff and union members.

    • Fire and rehire
    • National living wage
    • Latest News

    National living wage increase: implications for employers

    by Jo Faragher 12 Dec 2023
    by Jo Faragher 12 Dec 2023

    After it was announced the national living wage would go up by almost 10%, some businesses have called the rise unsustainable. But should they be paying more anyway?

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Industrial action / strikes

    Oxfam workers suspend first ever strike

    by Jo Faragher 11 Dec 2023
    by Jo Faragher 11 Dec 2023

    The first strike in Oxfam's history has been suspended while union members consider a revised pay offer.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Economics, government & business

    Autumn statement: National insurance cut to 10%

    by Jo Faragher 22 Nov 2023
    by Jo Faragher 22 Nov 2023

    Jeremy Hunt announced a two percentage point drop in national insurance in the government's Autumn Statement.

    • National living wage
    • Apprenticeships
    • Latest News

    National living wage 2024 rates announced

    by Rob Moss 21 Nov 2023
    by Rob Moss 21 Nov 2023

    The Treasury has announced a 9.8% increase to the national living wage from April 2024.

    • National living wage
    • Age
    • Latest News

    Millennials earn no more than previous generations

    by Rob Moss 13 Nov 2023
    by Rob Moss 13 Nov 2023

    Millennials born in the late 1980s and early 1990s are still earning no more than those born in the 1970s did at the same age, says research.

    • National living wage
    • Employment law
    • Latest News

    Employment law compliance: ‘ministers are dragging their feet’

    by Adam McCulloch 26 Oct 2023
    by Adam McCulloch 26 Oct 2023

    The government lacks the drive to enforce its latest Labour Market Enforcement Strategy, employment status experts have said.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Pay & benefits

    ‘Real’ Living Wage rates increase by 10% again

    by Rob Moss 24 Oct 2023
    by Rob Moss 24 Oct 2023

    The real Living Wage rates in 2023-2024 increase to £12 in the UK and £13.15 in London, an increase of more than 10%.

    • National living wage
    • Fire and rehire
    • Latest News

    Labour would introduce ‘genuine living wage’

    by Ashleigh Webber 9 Oct 2023
    by Ashleigh Webber 9 Oct 2023

    The Labour Party would introduce a genuine living wage if it were to gain power at the next general election.

    • National living wage
    • Disability
    • Latest News

    National living wage to exceed £11 in 2024

    by Rob Moss 2 Oct 2023
    by Rob Moss 2 Oct 2023

    Jeremy Hunt to confirm new national minimum wage rates for 2024 in his conference speech, with the national living wage rising above £11.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Economics, government & business

    Remaining with same employer can ‘trap’ low-paid in underpayment

    by Ashleigh Webber 14 Sep 2023
    by Ashleigh Webber 14 Sep 2023

    Staff can become 'trapped' in cycles of minimum wage underpayment, a report from the Low Pay Commission has said.

    • National living wage
    • Zero hours
    • Latest News

    ‘Good work agreements’ needed to tackle low pay and poor conditions

    by Ashleigh Webber 4 Sep 2023
    by Ashleigh Webber 4 Sep 2023

    The Resolution Foundation suggests 'good work agreeements' should be introduced to improve conditions for workers in low-paid jobs.

    • National living wage
    • Brexit
    • Latest News

    In-depth: Are UK pay increases too large or too small?

    by Duncan Brown 29 Jun 2023
    by Duncan Brown 29 Jun 2023

    Dr Duncan Brown analyses real earnings growth, or a lack thereof, in the UK and discusses the pay perspectives of economists and employees.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Minimum wage

    More than 200 employers failed to pay minimum wage

    by Jo Faragher 21 Jun 2023
    by Jo Faragher 21 Jun 2023

    More than 200 employers have been named by the government as failing to pay the legal minimum wage.

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