The minimum wage rates in the UK are undergoing significant changes from **1st April 2024**.
## How much is the minimum wage going up by?
The biggest increase is to the **National Living Wage (NLW)**, which is rising by **£1.02 per hour**, from £10.42 to **£11.44 per hour**. Crucially, it’s also expanding to cover more age groups.
All other National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates are also increasing substantially.
## What are the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage, and how much are they worth?
In the UK, there are two main categories:
1. **National Living Wage (NLW):**
* **What it is:** This is the highest rate of minimum wage in the UK. It’s set by the government, based on recommendations from the Low Pay Commission, and aims to reflect a wage that people can live on.
* **Who it applies to (from 1st April 2024):** Workers aged **21 and over** (previously, it applied to those aged 23 and over).
* **How much it’s worth (from 1st April 2024):** **£11.44 per hour**
2. **National Minimum Wage (NMW):**
* **What it is:** This is the umbrella term for all other minimum wage rates that apply to younger workers and apprentices. These rates are generally lower than the NLW, acknowledging that younger workers might be gaining experience or undertaking training.
* **Who it applies to:** Workers aged under 21, and apprentices.
* **How much it’s worth (from 1st April 2024):**
* **Age 18-20:** **£8.60 per hour**
* **Under 18:** **£6.40 per hour**
* **Apprentice rate:** **£6.40 per hour** (for apprentices under 19 or in their first year)
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### Summary of Rates (Effective from 1st April 2024)
Here’s a comparison of the current rates (up to 31st March 2024) and the new rates (from 1st April 2024):
| Category | Rate up to 31 March 2024 | New Rate from 1 April 2024 | Increase |
| :———————– | :———————– | :————————- | :———————— |
| **National Living Wage** | | | |
| **Age 21 and over** | £10.42 (for 23+) | **£11.44** | £1.02 |
| | £10.18 (for 21-22) | | £1.26 |
| **National Minimum Wage** | | | |
| **Age 18-20** | £7.49 | **£8.60** | £1.11 |
| **Under 18** | £5.28 | **£6.40** | £1.12 |
| **Apprentice** | £5.28 | **£6.40** | £1.12 |
**Important Note:** The National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage are statutory minimums set by the government. They are different from the “Real Living Wage” calculated by the Living Wage Foundation, which is a voluntary rate based on the actual cost of living.
