How much is National Minimum wage going up in April 2026?

A total of 389 businesses across sectors including retail, social care and hospitality were found to have underpaid staff – and have now been ordered to repay workers.

They have also been hit with £12.6 million in fines.

The latest enforcement action, published by the UK Government, is part of a renewed push to crack down on employers who underpay staff.

Officials say:

• Workers were paid less than they were legally entitled to
• Employers must now repay wages in full
• Financial penalties have also been issued

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said it was unfair for companies to gain an advantage by breaking the rules.

This is the first “naming round” since ministers pledged to publish offending employers more regularly.

It also comes just weeks before a new enforcement body – the Fair Work Agency – launches to strengthen workers’ rights.

Employment rights minister Kate Dearden said: “Nobody should finish a week’s work and find they’ve been paid less than they’ve earned.”

Gov.uk has information on who is entitled to the minimum wage.

You can use the minimum wage calculator to check whether the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage is being paid.

Contact Acas if you’re not getting the National Minimum Wage and think you should be.

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Minimum Wage is rising again next month

The announcement comes ahead of a minimum wage increase from April 2026, following recommendations from the Low Pay Commission.

New rates will be:

• £12.71 per hour for those aged 21+
• £10.85 for 18–20-year-olds
• £8.00 for under-18s and apprentices

The rise means a full-time worker on the National Living Wage could earn around £977 more per year.