National Living Wage 2026: New UK Rates, Age Bands & What To Do If Your Employer Underpays

What Changed on 6 April 2026?

Each April the Government uprates the statutory minimum wage rates following recommendations from the Low Pay Commission. The 2026 increases are some of the largest in recent years and are designed to keep low-paid workers ahead of inflation.

UK Wage Rates by Age (April 2026)

Source: gov.uk — National Minimum Wage rates effective 6 April 2026.

National Living Wage vs Real Living Wage

People often confuse the two. The National Living Wage is the Government's statutory minimum and is enforceable by law. The Real Living Wage is voluntary, calculated independently by the Living Wage Foundation based on the actual cost of living.

What To Do If You Are Underpaid

Underpayment is more common than you think, especially through unpaid travel time between sites, deductions for uniform or training, or the employer not increasing your rate on your 21st birthday. Here is the step-by-step:

1. 1Work out exactly what you are owed: hourly rate × hours actually worked (including travel between sites, mandatory training and pre/post-shift duties), then compare to what was paid.
2. 2Raise it informally in writing with your manager or payroll. Keep it short, factual, and ask for the shortfall to be paid in the next pay run.
3. 3If they refuse or ignore you, raise a formal grievance under your employer's grievance procedure.
4. 4Report your employer to HMRC's National Minimum Wage enforcement team (anonymous reports are accepted). HMRC can recover up to 6 years of arrears on your behalf.
5. 5If you have been dismissed or treated badly for raising it, you may have an unfair dismissal or detriment claim, Acas states that time limits for employment tribunal claims increased from 3 months to 6 months on 1 October 2026. The 3 month limit may still apply to problems that started before 1 October 2026. Check your deadline early and seek advice.

HMRC Enforcement & Penalties

HMRC has the power to investigate any employer suspected of paying below the statutory rates. Penalties include:

• Repayment of all arrears to the worker (up to 6 years).
• A financial penalty of up to 200% of the underpayment, capped at £20,000 per worker.
• Public naming on the Government's quarterly 'name and shame' list.
• Criminal prosecution in the most serious cases.

From 7 April 2026, the new Fair Work Agency is also taking on enforcement of holiday pay and statutory sick pay alongside HMRC's minimum wage work, giving workers a single, more powerful enforcement body.