National Living Wage from April 2027: the current rate and the LPC's indicative range
The rate employers pay now, and the Low Pay Commission's indicative projection for April 2027. The projection is not a decision.
For a small business with hourly-paid staff, the National Living Wage sets the floor of the wage bill. The government sets each April's rate after the Low Pay Commission makes its recommendation.
The range below is a projection the Commission published for its consultation. It says itself that the figures are indicative only. The final recommendation and the government's decision had not been published when we checked.
The rate now
From April 2026 the National Living Wage (21 and over) is £12.71, the 18 to 20 rate is £10.85, and the under-18 and apprentice rates are £8. [1]
- In force From April 2026 the National Living Wage (21 and over) is £12.71, the 18 to 20 rate is £10.85, and the under-18 and apprentice rates are £8. [1]
What the source says
21 and over 18 to 20 Under 18 Apprentice April 2026 £12.71 £10.85 £8 £8
April 2027: the Low Pay Commission's projection
The Low Pay Commission estimates a rate between £13.02 and £13.34 would be required in April 2027, with a central estimate of £13.18. [2]
- Projection — not a decision The Low Pay Commission estimates a rate between £13.02 and £13.34 would be required in April 2027, with a central estimate of £13.18. [2]
What the source says
a rate between £13.02 and £13.34 (or an increase of between 2.4 and 5.0 per cent) would be required in April 2027, with a central estimate of £13.18 (3.7 per cent)
- Projection — not a decision The Commission says these projected figures are indicative only. [2]
What the source says
These projected figures above are indicative only.
- Announced The benchmark remains two-thirds of median hourly earnings, and the government expects the Commission's recommendations in October. [3]
What the source says
the current benchmark of two-thirds of median hourly earnings for the National Living Wage … recommendations in October
What the engine is tracking now
The engine has no current indexed analysis on these costs. We do not fill the gap with guesses; check back, or run the cost exposure check below.
The costs behind this briefing: Wage costs: what the engine tracks.
Next update. We will update this page when the Low Pay Commission's recommendation and the government's decision are published.
Which of your costs are moving? The free cost exposure check shows the pressures the engine is tracking for your country, sector and inputs, with the chain and sources for each.
How this analysis was produced
- Data sources
- GOV.UK — National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates; Low Pay Commission — Consultation letter 2026; Department for Business and Trade — Low Pay Commission remit 2026
- What the AI did
- The explainer and the fact list were drafted with AI assistance. Each figure and date was then checked against the quoted passage of its primary source, shown under it. The list of analyses is produced automatically by the engine.
- Checked automatically
- every fact carries its source link and the verbatim passage it rests on; only indexed analyses are listed.
- What people did
- No person reviewed this page before it was published. Errors reported to us are reviewed and corrected on the editorial policy's terms.
- Data as of
By the Branch² Intelligence Desk. How the analysis is made · Editorial policy and corrections
Sources
Every figure and date above was checked against these primary sources on 11 October 2026.
- GOV.UK — National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates — https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates
- Low Pay Commission — Consultation letter 2026 — https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/low-pay-commission-consultation-2026/lpc-consultation-letter-2026
- Department for Business and Trade — Low Pay Commission remit 2026 — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-minimum-wage-and-national-living-wage-low-pay-commission-remit-2026/letter-from-peter-kyle-to-low-pay-commission-remit-2026
Automated analysis for information only. Not investment advice. Read the full disclaimer. How we work: methodology · editorial policy.