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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
    • 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.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Retail

    Rising cost of living prompts Currys hourly pay boost

    by Ashleigh Webber 15 Mar 2022
    by Ashleigh Webber 15 Mar 2022

    Technology retailer Currys has announced a 5.2% base pay increase for hourly paid staff, in response to rising living costs.

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Minimum wage

    Payroll year end 2021/22: top tips and developments for small businesses

    by Personnel Today 15 Mar 2022
    by Personnel Today 15 Mar 2022

    Payroll professionals will be pleased to know there are no big suprises when it comes to this year’s payroll year...

    • National living wage
    • Right to work
    • IR35

    April 2022 employment law changes: six tasks for HR

    by Stephen Simpson 14 Mar 2022
    by Stephen Simpson 14 Mar 2022

    HR professionals must ensure that their organisation is on top of the raft of employment law developments in April 2022.

    • Benefits
    • National living wage
    • Financial wellbeing

    M&S raises minimum pay to £10 an hour for shop staff

    by Ashleigh Webber 16 Feb 2022
    by Ashleigh Webber 16 Feb 2022

    Thousands of Marks & Spencer shop floor staff will see their base pay increase to at least £10 an hour in April

    • National living wage
    • Right to work
    • Hybrid working

    Employment law in 2022: Eight action points for HR

    by Brightmine 24 Dec 2021
    by Brightmine 24 Dec 2021

    As well as continuing to deal with workplace issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic, there will be many other important...

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Pay & benefits

    Key workers thousands worse off this Christmas

    by Jo Faragher 23 Dec 2021
    by Jo Faragher 23 Dec 2021

    Thousands of key workers will earn less on Christmas Day than they did a decade ago, according to analysis from...

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Pay & benefits

    Matalan and House of Fraser among firms named for wage errors

    by Ashleigh Webber 9 Dec 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 9 Dec 2021

    More than 200 organisations have been exposed by the government for failing to pay employees the minimum wage.

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

    National living wage and national minimum wage rates confirmed for April 2022

    by Rob Moss 2 Dec 2021
    by Rob Moss 2 Dec 2021

    The government has confirmed that the national living wage will increase by 6.6% from £8.91 to £9.50 as it officially...

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Pay & benefits

    ‘Real’ Living Wage increases to £9.90 an hour

    by Ashleigh Webber 15 Nov 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 15 Nov 2021

    The ‘real’ Living Wage, the voluntary rate calculated based on what people need to live on, has increased to £9.90...

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