The apprentice rate applies to apprentices aged 16-18 and those aged 19+ in the first year of their apprenticeship. After completing year one, apprentices 19+ receive the rate appropriate for their age.
All rates are the hourly minimum wage effective from October of each year (April from 2010 onwards). Figures shown are the rates applicable from April of the stated year unless otherwise noted.
| Year | NLW / Adult Rate (25+/21+) | 21–24 Rate | 18–20 Rate | 16–17 Rate | Apprentice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (Apr) | £12.21 (NLW, 21+) | — | £10.00 | £7.55 | £7.55 |
| 2024 (Apr) | £11.44 (NLW, 21+) | — | £8.60 | £6.40 | £6.40 |
| 2023 (Apr) | £10.42 (NLW, 23+) | £10.18 | £7.49 | £5.28 | £5.28 |
| 2022 (Apr) | £9.50 (NLW, 23+) | £9.18 | £6.83 | £4.81 | £4.81 |
| 2021 (Apr) | £8.91 (NLW, 23+) | £8.36 | £6.56 | £4.62 | £4.30 |
| 2020 (Apr) | £8.72 (NLW, 25+) | £8.20 | £6.45 | £4.55 | £4.15 |
| 2019 (Apr) | £8.21 (NLW, 25+) | £7.70 | £6.15 | £4.35 | £3.90 |
| 2018 (Apr) | £7.83 (NLW, 25+) | £7.38 | £5.90 | £4.20 | £3.70 |
| 2017 (Apr) | £7.50 (NLW, 25+) | £7.05 | £5.60 | £4.05 | £3.50 |
| 2016 (Apr) | £7.20 (NLW, 25+) | £6.70 | £5.30 | £3.87 | £3.30 |
| 2015 (Oct) | £6.70 | £6.70 | £5.30 | £3.87 | £3.30 |
| 2014 (Oct) | £6.50 | £6.50 | £5.13 | £3.79 | £2.73 |
| 2013 (Oct) | £6.31 | £6.31 | £5.03 | £3.72 | £2.68 |
| 2012 (Oct) | £6.19 | £6.19 | £4.98 | £3.68 | £2.65 |
| 2011 (Oct) | £6.08 | £6.08 | £4.98 | £3.68 | £2.60 |
| 2010 (Oct) | £5.93 | £5.93 | £4.92 | £3.64 | £2.50 |
| 2009 (Oct) | £5.80 | £5.80 | £4.83 | £3.57 | N/A |
| 2008 (Oct) | £5.73 | £5.73 | £4.77 | £3.53 | N/A |
| 2007 (Oct) | £5.52 | £5.52 | £4.60 | £3.40 | N/A |
| 2006 (Oct) | £5.35 | £5.35 | £4.45 | £3.30 | N/A |
| 2005 (Oct) | £5.05 | £5.05 | £4.25 | £3.00 | N/A |
| 2004 (Oct) | £4.85 | £4.85 | £4.10 | £3.00 | N/A |
| 2003 (Oct) | £4.50 | £4.50 | £3.80 | £3.00 | N/A |
| 2002 (Oct) | £4.20 | £4.20 | £3.60 | N/A | N/A |
| 2001 (Oct) | £4.10 | £4.10 | £3.50 | N/A | N/A |
| 2000 (Jun) | £3.70 | £3.70 | £3.20 | N/A | N/A |
| 1999 (Apr) | £3.60 | £3.60 | £3.00 | N/A | N/A |
Green rows indicate the National Living Wage era (from April 2016). The NLW initially applied to workers 25+, extended to 23+ from April 2021, and to 21+ from April 2024.
The National Minimum Wage Act 1998 came into force on 1 April 1999, creating the UK's first statutory wage floor. The initial rate of £3.60/hour for workers 22+ was hugely controversial — business groups warned of mass unemployment, while unions argued it was too low. About 1.5 million workers received an immediate pay rise.
The Low Pay Commission, established under the Act, recommended annual increases roughly in line with earnings growth. By 2010 the adult rate had risen to £5.93/hour — a 65% increase in nominal terms over 11 years, though real-terms growth was more modest given inflation.
A specific apprentice rate (initially £2.50/hour) was introduced in October 2010, covering apprentices aged 16-18 and those aged 19+ in their first year of an apprenticeship. The rate was lower to encourage employer investment in training.
Chancellor George Osborne announced a "National Living Wage" in his July 2015 Budget, effective April 2016 at £7.20/hour for workers aged 25+. This was a significant uplift above the existing NMW (£6.70) and signalled a new government ambition to raise the wage floor much faster. The target was 60% of median earnings by 2020.
From April 2021, the National Living Wage was extended to workers aged 23 and 24, with the rate rising to £8.91. This removed the 21-24 "development rate" for older young workers, acknowledging that the difference was hard to justify.
A landmark uplift brought the NLW to £11.44/hour — a 9.8% increase — and extended it to all workers aged 21+, further narrowing age discrimination in the wage floor. The 18-20 rate jumped to £8.60 (+14.8%), the biggest proportional increase for younger workers in years.
The 2025 NLW of £12.21/hour (up 6.7%) keeps pace with the Government's ambition to maintain the rate at two-thirds of median earnings. The 18-20 rate hits £10.00 for the first time — a psychologically significant milestone. The Government has signalled ambitions for a further harmonisation of age bands in coming years.
Before 1999, the UK had no statutory minimum wage (Wages Councils, which set minimum rates in specific sectors, were abolished in 1993). Workers in low-paid sectors — retail, hospitality, cleaning — had no legal floor on their pay. The NMW was a flagship 1997 New Labour manifesto commitment, supported by academic evidence from the US that modest minimum wages do not necessarily increase unemployment, and can reduce in-work poverty.
The Low Pay Commission (LPC) is an independent non-departmental public body established in 1997. It comprises nine commissioners representing business, unions, and academia. It researches the UK labour market, consults widely, and makes recommendations to the Government on NMW rates each year. Since 2016 it has been given a specific target to aim for (currently: NLW at two-thirds of median hourly earnings, subject to economic conditions).
The adult NMW was £3.60 in 1999. Adjusted for CPI inflation to 2025, that equals roughly £6.80 in today's money — meaning the NLW at £12.21 represents a significant real-terms improvement in the wage floor over 26 years.
HMRC enforces NMW compliance. Employers found underpaying face arrears repayment, a penalty of up to 200% of arrears (max £20,000 per worker), and potential public naming and shaming on the HMRC website.
Retail, hospitality, cleaning, and social care are most affected by NMW increases. The 2025 rates are estimated to directly affect approximately 3 million workers — around 10% of the UK workforce.
The current Government has signalled it wants to eliminate the youth age brackets over time, moving toward a single adult rate applicable from age 18. Consultation on the timeline is ongoing.