UK minimum wage 2026: how much per hour and per month?
From 1 April 2026, the UK minimum wage is £12.71 an hour for those aged 21 and over. The monthly equivalent, rates by age and the London difference.
The minimum wage in the UK is set by the hour rather than by the month, and it varies with the age of the worker. This article presents together the 2026 rates, their monthly and annual equivalents, the difference from previous years, and the points to be considered by those planning to employ staff through a company formed in the UK.
What is the hourly minimum wage in the UK in 2026?
The minimum wage in force in the UK from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 is £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over. This rate is officially called the National Living Wage. The lower National Minimum Wage rates apply to workers under 21. All of the rates are published on the government's official page.
| Worker | Hourly rate | Previous year |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 21 and over | £12.71 | £12.21 |
| Aged 18-20 | £10.85 | £10.00 |
| Under 18 | £8.00 | £7.55 |
| Apprentice | £8.00 | £7.55 |
The apprentice rate applies to apprentices under 19 and to all apprentices in the first year of their apprenticeship. An apprentice aged 19 or over who has completed the first year receives the rate for their own age group.
How much is the UK minimum wage per month?
There is no statutory monthly minimum wage in the UK; the monthly amount is calculated from the hours worked. Full-time work is mostly 37.5 or 40 hours a week. At £12.71 an hour, the gross earnings of a person aged 21 or over working 37.5 hours a week are approximately £2,065 a month and £24,784 a year. For 40 hours a week, the amount reaches approximately £2,203 a month.
| Hours per week | Monthly gross | Annual gross | Monthly net (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37.5 hours | £2,065 | £24,784 | £1,780 |
| 40 hours | £2,203 | £26,437 | £1,880 |
Calculation: hourly rate × weekly hours × 52 weeks ÷ 12 months. The net amount is calculated with the standard tax code (£12,570 personal allowance), 20% income tax and 8% National Insurance; pension deductions and student loan repayments are not included.
The net amount varies from person to person. If there is automatic enrolment in a workplace pension scheme, a further deduction is made from gross pay; for those resident in Scotland, the income tax bands are also different.
How has the UK minimum wage changed over the years?
The minimum wage in the UK is updated every year on 1 April. The rate for those aged 21 and over rose from £12.21 in 2025 to £12.71 in 2026, an increase of 50 pence, or approximately 4.1 per cent. The largest increase was in the 18-20 age group: the rate rose from £10.00 to £10.85, an increase of 8.5 per cent.
| Period | Hourly rate | Age covered |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 to March 2027 | £12.71 | 21 and over |
| April 2025 to March 2026 | £12.21 | 21 and over |
| April 2024 to March 2025 | £11.44 | 21 and over |
| April 2023 to March 2024 | £10.42 | 23 and over |
| April 2022 to March 2023 | £9.50 | 23 and over |
Until April 2024, the adult rate applied to those aged 23 and over; on that date the age limit was lowered to 21.
Is the minimum wage different in London and Scotland?
No. The statutory minimum wage is the same throughout the United Kingdom: £12.71 an hour for those aged 21 and over in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There is no separate statutory rate for London.
The impression of a different rate comes from a voluntary wage with a similar name. The Real Living Wage, calculated by the Living Wage Foundation according to the cost of living, is currently £13.45 an hour across the UK and £14.80 in London. Paying this rate is not a legal obligation; it is applied voluntarily by employers who are members of the foundation. Current figures are on the foundation's page.
Who receives the minimum wage in the UK?
In the UK, everyone who is above school leaving age and works with worker status is entitled to the minimum wage; full-time, part-time, temporary and agency workers and apprentices are covered. The self-employed, company directors who do not have an employment contract, and volunteers are outside its scope.
Does the minimum wage cover the cost of living in the UK?
There is no single answer to this question; rent, the largest expense item in the UK, varies considerably from city to city. Because the statutory minimum wage is the same throughout the country, the same pay corresponds to a different standard of living in London and in a city in the north. The separate and higher calculation of the voluntary Real Living Wage rate for London rests on the same reason.
Rent, visa and work permit matters are covered with official figures in the guide to living in the UK. For those weighing countries with a view to forming a company rather than working, the articles on what work is done in Dubai and living in Cyprus examine the same subject from the angle of the other two countries. On the tax dimension, the article on countries with no income tax explains where and under what conditions personal income tax arises.
What should those who form a company in the UK and hire staff consider?
Every company that employs staff in the UK is obliged to pay at least the minimum wage and to record the payment through payroll. For this, the company must register with HMRC as an employer and make a payroll (PAYE) submission with every payment. An employer who pays below the minimum wage must repay the shortfall; in addition, a penalty is applied and the employer's name may be made public.
- The rate changes every 1 April; payroll must be calculated at the new rate from that date.
- When a worker passes an age threshold (18 and 21), they move to the higher rate from the next pay period.
- Even if the company's only employee is the director, a payroll record is needed if a salary is to be paid.
Formation steps and cost are on the company formation page for the UK, annual obligations on the UK accounting page and the taxation of profit on the UK tax page. For a calculation with your own figures, the UK corporation tax calculator can be used. To consider the UK together with Dubai and Northern Cyprus, the country comparison page can be consulted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in the UK in 2026?
From 1 April 2026, the minimum wage in the UK is £12.71 an hour for those aged 21 and over, £10.85 for ages 18-20, and £8 for those under 18 and apprentices.
How many pounds is the monthly minimum wage in the UK?
There is no statutory monthly amount. At £12.71 an hour, the gross earnings of a person aged 21 or over working 37.5 hours a week are approximately £2,065 a month, and for a person working 40 hours approximately £2,203.
What is the net amount of the minimum wage in the UK?
With the standard tax code and without a pension deduction, the net amount for a person working 37.5 hours a week is approximately £1,780 a month, and for 40 hours approximately £1,880. The exact amount varies with the person's tax code and deductions.
Is the minimum wage higher in London?
The statutory minimum wage is the same in London: £12.71 an hour. The £14.80 announced for London is the Real Living Wage rate that employers apply voluntarily; it is not a legal requirement.
When does the minimum wage change in the UK?
The minimum wage in the UK is renewed every year on 1 April. The new rates are generally announced with the Budget in the preceding autumn.
I am the director of my own company; must I receive the minimum wage?
If there is no employment contract between the director and the company, the minimum wage rule does not apply. If there is a contract, or if a salary is to be paid, a payroll record is needed. Detailed information is on the UK accounting page.
Related serviceForming a company in the UKFormation steps, cost and the payment channels compatible with a UK company.View the ServiceThe hourly rates are taken from the official page of the UK government (gov.uk), and the voluntary wage from the Living Wage Foundation. The monthly and net amounts are calculated from these rates. The information is current as of 9 October 2026.
This article is for general information and does not constitute personal tax, legal or immigration advice. The rates change every year on 1 April.
