The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has announced on the day before her 26th November 2025 Autumn Budget the acceptance of the Low Pay Commission recommendations on increases to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage.
These uplifts are predicted in benefit 2.7 million U.K. workers with a significant increase in pay.
What about the predicted age reduction for National Living Wage
As part of the governments early days announcements, they desire to reduce the qualifying age for National Living Wage to commence at 18 years of age. However, instead of reducing the NLW effective age, the increase to the 18-20 year olds is the highest increase at +8.5% to the new £10.85 per hour rate.
What about the younger workers and apprentices?
Those aged 16-17 who have reached school leaving age and apprentices also received a higher increase of 6% to the new £8 per worked hour rate as a statutory minimum.
07/12/2025 PSP (with permission of PAYadvice Ltd)