As you are aware, National Minimum Wage increases each April. In preparation for this, please see below details of the current rates and also the rates that come into effect from 1st April 2025:
| 21 and Over | 18 to 20 | Under 18 | Apprentice | |
| April 2024 (Current Rate) | £11.44 | £8.60 | £6.40 | £6.40 |
| April 2025 | £12.21 | £10.00 | £7.55 | £7.55 |
It is important to note, that Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they’re either:
- aged under 19
- aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship
If employees are receiving a pay rise, it is important that changes to their terms and conditions are confirmed in writing within one month of the change.
It is also important that you consider employees who are on a salary basis to ensure that the increase does not bring them below the National Living Wage.
Statutory Payments
From 6th April 2025 Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Shared Parental Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay and Parental Bereavement Pay will also increase from the current rate of £184.03 to £187.18 per week (or 90% of the employees average weekly earnings if less than £187.18).
Statutory Sick Pay
From 6th April 2025 Statutory Sick Pay which is currently paid at a rate of £116.75 per week will increase to £118.75 per week.
Written by Lucy Williams FCILEx
Head of Employment Law & Human Resources at Key Group Services Ltd