Apprentice Minimum Wage to Rise to £8 from April 2026: What It Means for Young People and Employers
HM Treasury's Autumn Budget 2025 confirmed statutory wage increases across all minimum wage rates from 1 April 2026. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the apprentice minimum wage will rise from £7.55 to £8.00 per hour, a 6% nominal increase. The rise affects apprentices under 19 years old and those aged 19 or over in their first year of apprenticeship, regardless of the apprenticeship level or sector. The National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 21 and over increases 4.1% from £12.21 to £12.71 per hour. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for 18 to 20 year olds rises 8.5% to £10.85 per hour.
