Everyone over the National Living Wage threshold (currently 23 and over) is in line for a serious bump. The rate is climbing toward what experts call “two-thirds of median earnings.” That’s a fancy way of saying they’re trying to make work pay a lot better than it does now.
Think of it like this: if you’re working full-time on the minimum wage, your annual income could jump by over £1,500 compared to 2026. That’s not just spare change; that’s a decent holiday, a new boiler, or several months of groceries.
It’s a Big Deal for Younger Workers Too
Don’t think this is just for the over-23s. The rates for 21–22 year olds are being pushed up hard, closing the gap with older workers. And get this: 18–20 year olds are seeing a historic rise, too. The idea is to stop treating young people like cheap labour.
Imagine a 20-year-old barista suddenly earning nearly the same as a 30-year-old barista. That’s a pretty powerful statement about fairness, right? It’s like levelling the playing field, one coffee shift at a time.
