Minimum pay went up in April — check your payslip

Since April 2026 the National Living Wage is £12.71 an hour for everyone aged 21 and over — up from £12.21. For ages 18 to 20 it is £10.85, and under 18 it is £8.00.

If you are on the books (PAYE) — including through an agency — this is the legal floor. Check your payslip: hours worked times rate should never come out below it, and deductions for things like transport organised by the employer cannot take you under the minimum.

Self-employed day rates are not covered by the minimum wage. But when the floor rises, everything above it tends to move too — worth remembering next time you agree a price.

If you think you are being paid below minimum wage, you can check and report it for free on gov.uk — search "check your pay".