On 1 April 2026 the UK's minimum wage rates went up. The headline National Living Wage — the rate for workers aged 21 and over — moved from £12.21/hr to £12.71/hr. That's a 50p/hour rise, or 4.1%.
Below is the new rate card and what each band looks like in actual pounds per month. No advice attached — just the numbers so you can update your forecast.
The new rates (from 1 April 2026)
| Age band | Rate | Up from |
|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71/hr | £12.21/hr |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85/hr | £10.00/hr |
| Under 18 | £8.00/hr | £7.55/hr |
| Apprentice (under 19, or first year) | £8.00/hr | £7.55/hr |
Source: Low Pay Commission recommendations, confirmed in the November 2025 Autumn Budget.
What that adds up to in a month
We've assumed a 37.5-hour standard working week (the most common UK full-time pattern) and used 52 ÷ 12 = 4.333 weeks per month to give a true monthly figure rather than a calendar-month estimate.
| Age band | Per hour | Per week (37.5h) | Per month (gross) | Per year (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21+ | £12.71 | £476.63 | £2,065.38 | £24,784.50 |
| 18–20 | £10.85 | £406.88 | £1,763.13 | £21,157.50 |
| Under 18 / Apprentice | £8.00 | £300.00 | £1,300.00 | £15,600.00 |
These are gross figures — before Income Tax, National Insurance, pension auto-enrolment, or student-loan deductions.
The before-and-after on a 21+ payslip
For someone on the National Living Wage, working a standard 37.5-hour week:
- Old monthly gross (£12.21/hr): £1,984.13
- New monthly gross (£12.71/hr): £2,065.38
- Difference: +£81.25 per month before tax
Net (take-home) will be slightly less than that, depending on your tax code, pension contribution and any salary sacrifices.
What to update in Forge Ledger
If you're on minimum wage or have recurring income tied to the NLW (e.g. a part-time job, second income, or a household member's wage), it's worth opening your recurring income transaction and bumping the amount to the new figure. Forge Ledger will then redraw your forecast with the new monthly inflow baked in.
If your employer pays slightly above the legal minimum, check whether they've passed the rise on — it's not automatic. Some employers absorb the increase, others apply it from April's first pay run, others wait for the next salary review cycle.
Figures correct as of the November 2025 Autumn Budget. This post is information only and is not financial advice — for personalised guidance on tax, benefits or wages, speak to a qualified adviser.
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