National Minimum Wage rates have applied at their current levels since 1 April 2026 — a quick refresher for anyone running payroll. Workers aged 21 and over must be paid at least £12.71 an hour (the National Living Wage), those aged 18 to 20 at least £10.85, under-18s £8, and apprentices £8 where the apprentice rate applies. Remember that apprentices aged 19 or over who are past their first year are entitled to the minimum rate for their age instead. It's worth double-checking your payroll is applying the right rates — underpaying can mean having to pay arrears and facing HMRC penalties, and GOV.UK has a minimum wage calculator if you want to check a specific case.