Minimum wage rates from 1 April 2026
21 and over (National Living Wage)
£12.71
18 to 20
£10.85
Under 18
£8.00
Apprentice (under 19, or in first year)
£8.00
Accommodation offset: £11.10 a day, £77.70 a week.
Where employers get caught out
Most underpayment isn’t deliberate: unpaid handovers, travel time between care visits, uniform deductions, or a birthday that moves a worker into a higher band. Accurate timesheets are your defence. Record actual hours worked against pay, and have your payroll provider check the resulting hourly rate at every pay run rather than once a year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the National Living Wage in 2026?
From 1 April 2026 the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 an hour. The rate is £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds and £8.00 for under-18s and apprentices.
Can a salaried employee be paid below minimum wage?
Yes — and it is a common mistake. If a salaried worker regularly works more hours than their contract, or has unpaid working time, their effective hourly rate can fall below the minimum even on a reasonable-looking salary.
What deductions reduce minimum wage pay?
Deductions for things connected to the job — uniforms, tools, training costs — reduce pay for minimum wage purposes. So does accommodation charged above the offset, which is £11.10 a day (£77.70 a week) from April 2026.
What are the penalties for underpaying minimum wage?
Employers must repay arrears at current rates, pay a penalty of up to 200% of the underpayment (capped at £20,000 per worker), and may be publicly named by the government.
Does minimum wage matter for sponsored workers?
Yes. A sponsored job must comply with the National Minimum Wage as well as the Skilled Worker salary rules. Underpayment is a breach of sponsor duties and can lead to licence revocation.
Official sources
- National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates
- National Minimum Wage: accommodation
- Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027
Rules and fees checked September 2026. Immigration rules change often — this tool gives general information, not legal or immigration advice. For advice on an individual case, speak to a regulated immigration adviser or one of the firms listed here.