UK Minimum Wage Rises to £13.21: What UK Apprenticeships Pay From 2027
UK apprenticeships and low-paid jobs get a 3.9% pay rise: the National Living Wage hits £13.21 an hour and apprentice pay £8.31 from April 2027.
UKIn brief
- The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over will rise by 50p to £13.21 an hour from April 2027.
- Every legal minimum rate goes up by 3.9%, including the apprentice rate, which rises to £8.31.
- 18–20 year olds will get at least £11.27 an hour and 16–17 year olds £8.31.
- The government accepted the Low Pay Commission's recommendations in full.
| Country | UK |
|---|---|
| Organization | Low Pay Commission / UK Government |
| Official source | GOV.UK – LPC recommendations take the National Living Wage to £13.21 ✓ gov.uk |
Good news for anyone starting out in UK apprenticeships or working in entry-level jobs. The UK government has accepted the Low Pay Commission's advice in full, so every legal minimum pay rate will rise by 3.9% from April 2027. The headline National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over goes up by 50p to £13.21 an hour, and the apprentice rate rises to £8.31. The new rates were confirmed on 28 October alongside the Autumn Budget.
The new rates from April 2027
| Rate | Now | From April 2027 | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Living Wage (21+) | £12.71 | £13.21 | +50p |
| Age 18–20 | £10.85 | £11.27 | +42p |
| Age 16–17 | £8.00 | £8.31 | +31p |
| Apprentice rate | £8.00 | £8.31 | +31p |
| Accommodation offset (per day) | £11.10 | £11.53 | +43p |
For a full-time worker on 37.5 hours a week, the adult rate works out at roughly £25,760 a year before tax.
Why the rise is smaller this time
The Low Pay Commission's chair, Baroness Philippa Stroud, said setting the rate was a difficult balance. Employers are facing heavy cost pressures, and although the economy has grown faster than expected, that has not turned into much more hiring. The new rate sits a little below the commission's target of two-thirds of median earnings, but it is above forecast inflation, so the real value of low pay should still go up.
The commission has also paused its plan to bring 18–20 year olds up to the adult rate, because employers' demand for young workers has softened.
What apprentices should know
The £8.31 apprentice rate applies to apprentices under 19, and to those aged 19 or over in the first year of their apprenticeship. After that first year, older apprentices must be paid at least the rate for their age. Many big employers pay well above the legal minimum, so always compare offers.
What it means for job seekers
- Check your payslip in April 2027 – if your hourly pay is below the new rate, your employer must raise it.
- Compare apprenticeship offers – some schemes, such as large airline and engineering programmes, pay far above £8.31.
- Young workers should note the 18–20 rate is not catching up with the adult rate as fast as planned.
- Overseas workers in the UK are covered by the same minimum wage rules as everyone else.
Looking for an apprenticeship? See British Airways' 2027 apprenticeships and the government's plan for 100,000 youth opportunities.
More openings: all UK jobs
Frequently asked questions
What will the National Living Wage be in April 2027?
£13.21 an hour for workers aged 21 and over, up from £12.71.
How much will apprentices earn from April 2027?
The apprentice minimum rate rises to £8.31 an hour. Apprentices aged 19 or over who have finished their first year get the rate for their age instead.
When does the new UK minimum wage start?
The new rates take effect in April 2027.
How much is the 18–20 minimum wage in 2027?
£11.27 an hour, up 42p.
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