National minimum wage changes

The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2021 have been published. The changes come into force on 1 April 2021.

The single hourly rate of the National Living Wage for working people aged 25 or over will increase to £8.91 (current rate £8.72). The NLW will now apply to workers from age 23.

Other national minimum wage increases are:

21-22 year rate £8.36 (current rate £8.20)

18-20 year rate £6.56 (current rate £6.45)

Under 18-year rate £4.62 (current rate £4.55)

Apprentice rate £4.30 (current rate £4.15)

Accommodation offset (day rate) £8.36 (current rate £8.20)

The Regulations also extend the period for which an employer must keep records sufficient to establish that it is paying a worker at a rate at least equal to the applicable minimum wage rate from three years to six years.