
The National Living Wage (NLW) increases on Saturday 1st April to £10.42 per hour, providing a pay rise to millions of workers aged 23 and over across the UK.
Younger workers will also benefit from an increase to the National Minimum Wage, paid to those aged 22 and under. The minimum pay for apprentices will also increase to £5.28.
NMW rate | Annual increase (£) | Annual increase (per cent) | |
---|---|---|---|
National Living Wage (23+) | £10.42 | 0.92 | 9.7 |
21-22 Year Old Rate | £10.18 | 1.00 | 10.9 |
18-20 Year Old Rate | £7.49 | 0.66 | 9.7 |
16-17 Year Old Rate | £5.28 | 0.47 | 9.7 |
Apprentice Rate | £5.28 | 0.47 | 9.7 |
Accommodation Offset | £9.10 | 0.40 | 4.6 |
These increases follow recommendations made to the government by the Low Pay Commission (LPC) in autumn 2022 and brings the National Living Wage closer to the 2024 target of two-thirds of median income. The uplift also aims to restore the real value of the NLW that has been lose since April 2021 as a result of high inflation and the rising cost of living.
Bryan Sanderson, Chair of the Low Pay Commission, said:
“From April, millions of workers will benefit from these increases to the NMW and NLW. Despite turbulent economic conditions, the labour market has remained strong and unemployment is low. We remain confident that this increase is unlikely to have a detrimental impact. Indeed, the high levels of inflation are felt more acutely by those on low pay who spend a higher proportion of their income on energy and food.”
The LPC has now launched a consultation into further increases in the National Living Wage in 2024, with estimates that it will need to reach between £10.90 and £11.43 to meet the government’s target on low pay. The LPC also has ambitions to lower the NLW age threshold further to include all those aged 21 and over.