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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

    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.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Inflation

    TUC outlines £15 minimum wage target

    by Rob Moss 24 Aug 2022
    by Rob Moss 24 Aug 2022

    Union body says government should set the Low Pay Commission a new minimum wage target of 75% of median earnings.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Ethnicity pay gap

    Six findings from the national living wage review

    by Ashleigh Webber 22 Jun 2022
    by Ashleigh Webber 22 Jun 2022

    The national living wage review has found that while wages increased, household income for those in low-paid roles has not.

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

    ‘Small spike’ in minimum wage underpayment among 20-24 year olds

    by Ashleigh Webber 13 May 2022
    by Ashleigh Webber 13 May 2022

    Some employers failed to increase staff pay when 23-year-olds were brought into the scope of the national living wage, finds BEIS report.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Inflation

    Living Wage employers pass 10,000 mark

    by Jo Faragher 11 May 2022
    by Jo Faragher 11 May 2022

    More than 10,000 UK employers have now signed up to pay the Living Wage, the voluntary rate suggested by the Living Wage Foundation.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Inflation

    National living wage to increase 6.6% today

    by Ashleigh Webber 1 Apr 2022
    by Ashleigh Webber 1 Apr 2022

    The national living wage will increase to £9.50 an hour from 1 April 2022.

    • National living wage
    • Fire and rehire
    • Employment law

    New law could make ferry operators pay minimum wage

    by Ashleigh Webber 28 Mar 2022
    by Ashleigh Webber 28 Mar 2022

    Legislation that will force all ferry companies operating from UK ports to pay the national minimum wage will be introduced in the House of Commons this week.

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