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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
    • Coronavirus
    • Financial wellbeing

    Covid crisis creating ‘permanent damage’ to wages

    by Ashleigh Webber 26 Nov 2020
    by Ashleigh Webber 26 Nov 2020

    The average worker’s annual pay packet by the middle of the decade is set to be £1,200 lower than predicted...

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Minimum wage

    National living wage April 2021: 23-year-olds to receive increase

    by Rob Moss 25 Nov 2020
    by Rob Moss 25 Nov 2020

    The age from which workers become eligible for the national living wage will reduce to 23, the government has confirmed...

    • National living wage
    • Absence
    • Right to work

    Employment law: Seven key tasks for HR in 2021

    by Brightmine 11 Nov 2020
    by Brightmine 11 Nov 2020

    2020 was the year that HR was required to react to the unexpected, but it’s now time to plan for...

    • National living wage
    • Latest News
    • Pay & benefits

    New ‘real’ Living Wage rates announced for 2020/21

    by Ashleigh Webber 9 Nov 2020
    by Ashleigh Webber 9 Nov 2020

    The ‘real’ Living Wage – the voluntary hourly rate of pay recommended by the Living Wage Foundation – has risen...

    • National living wage
    • Coronavirus
    • Hospitality

    ONS: Weekly wages stable, but young staff see pay slashed

    by Ashleigh Webber 4 Nov 2020
    by Ashleigh Webber 4 Nov 2020

    The coronavirus pandemic had little effect on most employees’ weekly pay in April thanks to the furlough scheme, but younger...

    • National living wage
    • Coronavirus
    • Latest News

    CBI highlights two-speed economic recovery

    by Adam McCulloch 18 Sep 2020
    by Adam McCulloch 18 Sep 2020

    Business body's annual survey reveals companies' views of recruitment, pay freezes and National Living Wage as coronavirus crisis continues.

    • National living wage
    • Coronavirus
    • Latest News

    National living wage could be frozen next year

    by Ashleigh Webber 7 Sep 2020
    by Ashleigh Webber 7 Sep 2020

    National living wage rise considered unaffordable by the government, which may abandon pledge for NLW to reach 60% of median earnings.

    • National living wage
    • Coronavirus
    • Latest News

    London top for wealth and productivity but wage gap narrows

    by Jo Faragher 3 Aug 2020
    by Jo Faragher 3 Aug 2020

    Productivity and earnings are at least a third higher in some areas of London than the UK average, although the gap in earnings and wage growth is narrowing.

    • National living wage
    • Coronavirus
    • Personnel Today

    Boohoo to investigate ‘unsafe’ conditions at Leicester factory

    by Jo Faragher 8 Jul 2020
    by Jo Faragher 8 Jul 2020

    Low-cost fashion retailer Boohoo has promised to investigate workers’ pay and conditions at a Leicester factory.

    • National living wage
    • Coronavirus
    • Early careers

    Chancellor to announce kickstart scheme for jobs

    by Jo Faragher 8 Jul 2020
    by Jo Faragher 8 Jul 2020

    The chancellor is due to announce a £2bn “kickstart jobs scheme” today in the hope it will stem youth unemployment...

    • National living wage
    • Coronavirus
    • Financial wellbeing

    Reward and recognition? The future of pay after coronavirus

    by Jo Faragher 12 Jun 2020
    by Jo Faragher 12 Jun 2020

    We want to give key workers a pay rise, while an unprecedented quarter of the UK workforce has had the...

    • National living wage
    • Zero hours
    • Latest News

    Establish ‘wage boards’ to address low-paid workers’ earnings

    by Ashleigh Webber 4 Jun 2020
    by Ashleigh Webber 4 Jun 2020

    The government should introduce a ‘new settlement’ for low paid workers, giving them more control over the hours they work...

    • National living wage
    • Coronavirus
    • Employee relations

    TUC calls for ‘National Recovery Council’ to protect jobs and pay

    by Jo Faragher 20 May 2020
    by Jo Faragher 20 May 2020

    The TUC has called for the government to form a National Recovery Council to help the economy heal from the...

    • National living wage
    • Coronavirus
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion

    Are cleaning services ready for the frontline?

    by Adam McCulloch 15 May 2020
    by Adam McCulloch 15 May 2020

    Cleaning services have moved into the spotlight as the return to the workplace accelerates. But from low wages and insecure...

    • National living wage
    • Apprenticeships
    • Latest News

    Low Pay Commission: ‘Improve awareness of how apprentices should be paid’

    by Ashleigh Webber 7 May 2020
    by Ashleigh Webber 7 May 2020

    Confusion over rates of pay has led to many apprentices not receiving the pay they are entitled to.

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