The National Minimum/Living Wage will increase on the 1st of April 2025

The figures proposed by the Government follow the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission (LPC) and have taken into consideration the continued cost of living crisis and projected inflation trends.

From April 2025, the National Living Wage for those aged 21 years and over will be £12.21 per hour, which is an annual increase of 6.7% from the previous year’s rate of pay (£11.44 per hour).

Workers aged between 18 to 20 years old will be entitled to £10 per hour, which is an increase of 16.3% from the previous year’s figure of £8.60 per hour.

Finally, the rate of pay for those aged 16-17 years old, and those on the apprentice wage, will be £7.55 per hour, which is the highest increase at 18%, as both groups were previously on £6.40 per hour.

In recent years, we have also seen the age range for the National Living Wage extended. In April 2021, the threshold was lowered from 25 to 23 years, and then again down to 21 years old in April 2024.

The Government is also exploring further changes to the categories, including looking at reducing the National Living Wage threshold down to 18 years, and the potential to remove the apprenticeship rate altogether. However, it is not yet clear when and/or if these will take place.

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