Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

UK Raises Minimum Wage to £12.71, Boosting 2.7 Million Workers

4/3/2026

39 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

UK Raises Minimum Wage

The United Kingdom raised the national minimum wage on April 1, 2026, to £12.71 for workers over 21, £10-85 for 18-20, and £8 for under-18s and apprentices, affecting about 2.7 million workers.
Full-time workers will gain about £900 a year, while younger workers gain about £1,500.
The Low Pay Commission noted that past wage hikes did not significantly affect employment.

Summary

Cafe Owner Struggles

Rising business rates and the national minimum wage increase in Yorkshire threaten operations.
A cafe owner reports a 48% rise in rate payments, forcing her to seek more income to stay financially stable.
The government unveiled a £4.3 billion package, including a 5p cut in business rates for high street businesses, but owners say the support is insufficient.

History

Historical Context

The National Minimum Wage Act of 1998 established the UK's first national minimum wage at £3.60 per hour, aiming to protect 1.5 million workers from exploitation. This legislation followed a long history of minimum wage discussions dating back to the early 20th century. The recent increase to £12.71 reflects ongoing efforts to address living costs, though rising business rates pose challenges for small businesses.

1 of 3

UK Raises Minimum Wage

The United Kingdom raised the national minimum wage on April 1, 2026, to £12.71 for workers over 21, £10-85 for 18-20, and £8 for under-18s and apprentices, affecting about 2.7 million workers.
Full-time workers will gain about £900 a year, while younger workers gain about £1,500.
The Low Pay Commission noted that past wage hikes did not significantly affect employment.

1 / 3