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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
    • 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
    • Department for Work and Pensions

    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.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Minimum wage

    Five national minimum wage mistakes employers make

    by Charlie Barnes and Susan Ball 1 Jun 2023
    by Charlie Barnes and Susan Ball 1 Jun 2023

    These are the five most common national minimum wage mistakes employers make, from not uplifting pay to employees sacrificing too much pay.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Minimum wage

    Tipping Bill receives Royal Assent

    by Jo Faragher 3 May 2023
    by Jo Faragher 3 May 2023

    The bill makes it unlawful for employers to withhold tips from employees, and introduces a new statutory code of practice.

    • National living wage
    • Employment law
    • Latest News

    The UK needs a new ‘good work’ agenda, says think tank

    by Ashleigh Webber 19 Apr 2023
    by Ashleigh Webber 19 Apr 2023

    The Resolution Foundation has called for a renewed 'good work' agenda to improve minimum standards for workers.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Minimum wage

    National minimum wage 2023: pay rises for 1.6 million workers

    by Adam McCulloch 31 Mar 2023
    by Adam McCulloch 31 Mar 2023

    From tomorrow (1 April 2023), all rates of the national minimum wage, including the national living wage, will increase.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Minimum wage

    National living wage projected to reach £11.08 in 2024

    by Ashleigh Webber 23 Jan 2023
    by Ashleigh Webber 23 Jan 2023

    The Low Pay Commission sets out its projections for ensuring the national living wage reaches two-thirds of median earnings in 2024.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Pay & benefits

    Minimum wage uplift creates problems for Ministry of Defence

    by Ashleigh Webber 20 Jan 2023
    by Ashleigh Webber 20 Jan 2023

    Increases to the national minimum wage rates in April could mean cuts to working hours for some junior Ministry of...

    • National living wage
    • Bank holidays
    • Latest News

    Employment law 2023: six key tasks for HR

    by Susie Munro 17 Jan 2023
    by Susie Munro 17 Jan 2023

    While the Employment Bill, first promised by the government in 2019, has not materialised, some changes to employment law do...

    • National living wage
    • NHS
    • Latest News

    Autumn statement: ‘Skills shortages have not been addressed’

    by Adam McCulloch 18 Nov 2022
    by Adam McCulloch 18 Nov 2022

    Many concerns about the autumn statement have focused on whether the measures will help tackle the skills and labour shortage and make more likely the possibility of redundancies this winter.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Public sector

    National living wage to rise 9.5% as real wages continue to fall

    by Rob Moss 15 Nov 2022
    by Rob Moss 15 Nov 2022

    Reports suggest government will accept official recommendation for increase in the national living wage from April 2023.

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