The 1st of April can only mean one thing – the start of a new financial year and a new minimum wage.

By law anyone classed as an employee or worker – regardless of the type of job they’re working (e.g. part time, agency etc) - must get the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, which is the lowest renumeration that a company can legally pay its employees.

The minimum wage criteria are most commonly categorised by age in the UK, and this year has seen another significant increase in the rate, with the NLW going up by 6.7%. However, the biggest increase this year can be seen in the lower aged brackets and apprenticeships, with 18-20 year olds seeing their biggest yearly increase yet of 16.3%.

To make sure you’re on the correct pay rate, for your reference XCL Group have outlined the changes as of 1st April 2025 below:

NLW 21 and over £12.21

18-20 year olds £10.00

16-17 year olds £7.55

Apprentice £7.55