What’s changing?

From 1 April 2026, both the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) are increasing across all age groups. (GOV.UK)

New hourly rates (from April 2026)

What about the “Real Living Wage”?

This is different from the government minimum wage:

• £13.45 per hour (UK)

• £14.80 per hour (London) (Trust for London)

✔ It’s voluntary (not required by law)
✔ Paid by employers accredited with the Living Wage Foundation

Many employers choose to pay this higher rate to better reflect the cost of living.

Apprentices in Year 2 (or later) – April 2026

If you’re 19 or over and in your second year (or beyond), you are NOT paid the apprentice rate anymore.

Instead:

• You must be paid the minimum wage for your age

What that means in April 2026

From 1 April 2026, second-year apprentices should be paid:

✔ Not the £8 apprentice rate
✔ This applies as soon as you’ve completed your first year 

Important: BrightPay will not automatically detect or flag this change. Once an apprentice enters their second year, you must manually update their pay to the correct minimum wage rate for their age.

Amending a Global Hourly Rate in BrightPay when the Minimum Wage changes
 

For hourly rates that have been set up at employer level in BrightPay, simply amend the rate in the 'Employer' utility > 'Hourly Rates'.

Any amendment made here, will automatically update all employees currently assigned to that hourly rate.