![\"Getty](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/2639\/live\/ce1249e0-a9c2-11f0-8da2-811fba9518ff.jpg.webp\")
Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\nWages rose for three and a half million low-paid workers on 1 April, when the new rates for the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage took effect. <\/p>\n
The pay rates are set by the government every year on the advice of an independent group, the Low Pay Commission, and apply across the whole of the UK. <\/p>\n
A higher hourly rate called the Real Living Wage, paid voluntarily by some UK firms to almost half a million people, has also increased. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What is the National Living wage, and how much is it worth?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\nSince April 2024, the National Living Wage has applied to employees aged 21 and over. Previously, you had to be 23.<\/p>\n
On 1 April 2025, the National Living Wage went up from \u00a311.44 an hour to \u00a312.21<\/a>, an increase of 6.7%. <\/p>\nThe government said the increase was worth \u00a31,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What is the National Minimum Wage and how much is it worth?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\nYounger employees – aged between 16 and 20<\/a> – are entitled to receive the National Minimum Wage.<\/p>\nOn 1 April, the 18-20-year-old-rate rose from \u00a38.60 an hour to \u00a310, a rise of 16.3%.<\/p>\n
The government said the increase was worth \u00a32,500 for an eligible full-time worker.<\/p>\n
At the same time, the 16-17-year-old-rate went up from \u00a36.40 an hour to \u00a37.55, an 18% increase. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
What is the apprentice rate and how much is it worth?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/static.files.bbci.co.uk\/bbcdotcom\/web\/20251015-170100-8e96f025b0-web-2.31.4-1\/grey-placeholder.png\")
![\"Getty](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/8b61\/live\/5d5d9680-3aed-11f0-9fac-e782546bd539.jpg.webp\")
Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\nThere are different rates of pay for apprentices<\/a> depending on your age and what stage of your apprenticeship you are in.<\/p>\nApprentices aged 16 to 18 are entitled to the National Minimum Wage rate for that age group which is \u00a37.55.<\/p>\n
Those aged 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship are paid the same amount. <\/p>\n
But those over 19 – or who have already completed their first year – are entitled to the appropriate National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage rate for their age.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Who doesn’t qualify for the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\nSome workers don’t qualify for either the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage.<\/p>\n
This includes the self-employed, company directors, volunteers, members of the armed forces and prisoners.<\/p>\n
People with disabilities or in long-term unemployment who take part in government work programmes are paid fixed amounts at different stages of the scheme.<\/p>\n
These are less than the equivalent National Minimum or Living rate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Do employers have to pay the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\nYes. It is a criminal offence if employers don’t pay the correct National Minimum and Living Wages to eligible workers.<\/p>\n
The rates apply to staff even if they are not paid by the hour.<\/p>\n
If you think you are being paid wrongly, you can complain via the HMRC website<\/a>.<\/p>\nYou can also get advice from workplace experts Acas<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Getty](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/b96a\/live\/57035b40-a9c3-11f0-aa13-0b0479f6f42a.jpg.webp\")
Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\nWhat happens if employers don’t pay the right wage?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What is the Real Living Wage and how much is it?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Since April 2024, the National Living Wage has applied to employees aged 21 and over. Previously, you had to be 23.<\/p>\n
On 1 April 2025, the National Living Wage went up from \u00a311.44 an hour to \u00a312.21<\/a>, an increase of 6.7%. <\/p>\n The government said the increase was worth \u00a31,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Younger employees – aged between 16 and 20<\/a> – are entitled to receive the National Minimum Wage.<\/p>\n On 1 April, the 18-20-year-old-rate rose from \u00a38.60 an hour to \u00a310, a rise of 16.3%.<\/p>\n The government said the increase was worth \u00a32,500 for an eligible full-time worker.<\/p>\n At the same time, the 16-17-year-old-rate went up from \u00a36.40 an hour to \u00a37.55, an 18% increase. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n There are different rates of pay for apprentices<\/a> depending on your age and what stage of your apprenticeship you are in.<\/p>\n Apprentices aged 16 to 18 are entitled to the National Minimum Wage rate for that age group which is \u00a37.55.<\/p>\n Those aged 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship are paid the same amount. <\/p>\n But those over 19 – or who have already completed their first year – are entitled to the appropriate National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage rate for their age.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Some workers don’t qualify for either the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage.<\/p>\n This includes the self-employed, company directors, volunteers, members of the armed forces and prisoners.<\/p>\n People with disabilities or in long-term unemployment who take part in government work programmes are paid fixed amounts at different stages of the scheme.<\/p>\n These are less than the equivalent National Minimum or Living rate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Yes. It is a criminal offence if employers don’t pay the correct National Minimum and Living Wages to eligible workers.<\/p>\n The rates apply to staff even if they are not paid by the hour.<\/p>\n If you think you are being paid wrongly, you can complain via the HMRC website<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can also get advice from workplace experts Acas<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\nWhat is the National Minimum Wage and how much is it worth?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What is the apprentice rate and how much is it worth?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\nWho doesn’t qualify for the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Do employers have to pay the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\nWhat happens if employers don’t pay the right wage?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What is the Real Living Wage and how much is it?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n