April is the time of year at which important employment law rate changes are normally made. Read on to find out more about the changes we can expect to see in April 2026.

What's happening to the National Minimum Wage?

With effect from 1 April 2026, NMW rates will increase as follows:

• The ‘National Living Wage’ (21 and over) increases to £12.71 per hour;
• The NMW for those aged 18 to 20 increases to £10.85 per hour;
• The NMW for those aged under 18 increases to £8.00 per hour; and
• The NMW for apprentices also increases to £8.00 per hour.

Other important rate changes

While we’re on the subject of rate changes, with effect from 6 April 2026, the basic rate at which Statutory Sick Pay is paid will increase from £118.75 per week to £123.25 per week, and the flat rate at which statutory maternity pay is paid will increase from £187.18 per week to £194.32 per week. The self-same increase will apply to statutory paternity pay, statutory shared parental pay, statutory adoption pay, statutory parental bereavement pay and statutory neonatal care leave pay

Want to know more?

If you need further advice on any of these changes and how they may impact on you or your business, please get in touch.

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