From 1 April 2022, the rate of National Living Wage paid to workers aged 23 and over will rise by 6.6%, or 59p, to £9.50 an hour. Apprentices will benefit from an 11.9% uplift to their current hourly rate of National Minimum Wage.
For full-time workers, the 59p increase equates to extra annual salary of at least £1,000. Current and future rates of National Living/Minimum Wage are:
| Age | Current | From 1 April 2022 | Percentage increase |
| 23 and over | £8.91 | £9.50 | 6.6% |
| 21 to 22 | £8.36 | £9.18 | 9.8% |
| 18 to 20 | £6.56 | £6.83 | 4.1% |
| 16 to 17 | £4.62 | £4.81 | 4.1% |
| Apprentices | £4.30 | £4.81 | 11.9% |
Apprentices receive the apprentice rate if they are either aged under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship. For example, a first-year apprentice aged 21 can be paid the apprentice rate.
The provision of accommodation is the only benefit that counts towards national minimum pay, with the maximum offset increasing to £8.70 a day (£60.90 a week).
Common misconceptions
HMRC has published a checklist of common causes of minimum wage underpayment:
- Making a wage deduction for something job-related, such as the provision of a staff uniform;
- Making a wage deduction where the employer benefits, such as employer-provided transport;
- Not paying for any additional time added on to a worker’s shift;
- Not paying for travelling time; or
- Not paying for any time spent training.
Real Living Wage
National Living/Minimum Wage rates should not be confused with the Real Living Wage. This is independently calculated to reflect the cost of living and can be paid by employers on a voluntary basis; nearly 9,000 employers do so.
The current Real Living Wage rate is £9.50 an hour, with a London rate of £10.85. It is aimed at all workers aged 18 or over.
HMRC’s checklist of common causes of minimum wage underpayment, along with links to detailed guidance, can be found here.
