Nearly 660 employers were named by the government in September 2026 for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage. More than 27,000 workers had been underpaid, with around £4 million returned to them. The figures are a reminder that an hourly rate on a contract does not always tell the whole story: the hours worked and any deductions can affect whether someone receives the legal minimum. Read the government announcement.
Elle-Mae Marsh is an Employment Law Solicitor at NBB Waldrons and has experience advising on employment matters. Here, Elle-Mae explains the current rates, what to check on your payslip and the steps available if you believe you have been underpaid.
What is the National Minimum Wage in 2026?
From 1st April 2026, the statutory hourly rates are:
| Worker’s age or category | Minimum hourly rate |
| Aged 21 or over: National Living Wage | £12.71 |
| Aged 18 to 20 | £10.85 |
| Under 18 and above school leaving age | £8.00 |
| Apprentice rate | £8.00 |
The National Living Wage is the statutory minimum rate for eligible workers aged 21 and over. Younger eligible workers receive the applicable National Minimum Wage rate. These are hourly minimums, and rates normally change each April. Check the current and previous rates on GOV.UK.
An apprentice is entitled to the apprentice rate if they are under 19, or if they are 19 or over and in the first year of their current apprenticeship. After that first year, an apprentice aged 19 or over must receive at least the minimum wage rate for their age.
Could you be paid less than the minimum wage without realising?
Yes. Your basic hourly rate may look right, but the calculation depends on your pay and the hours counted for minimum wage purposes. For example, it is worth checking whether all working time has been recorded and whether deductions or costs connected with your job have reduced your pay below the legal minimum.
Start by gathering your payslips, contract and a record of the hours you worked. You can then use the government’s minimum wage calculator to help check your position. If you are unsure which hours or payments count, seek advice before assuming that dividing your take-home pay by your hours gives the answer. Acas also recommends checking payslips and your contract when raising a concern.
What should you do if your pay looks wrong?
You can raise the issue with your employer and ask them to explain the calculation. A payroll mistake may be resolved quickly, but keep copies of your payslips, working-hours records and correspondence. If the matter remains unresolved, you can raise a formal grievance.
You may then be able to complain to HMRC or bring a claim in an employment tribunal. Acas advises that you cannot take the same issue through both processes. HMRC can investigate minimum wage complaints and, where it finds underpayment, require an employer to repay wages owed. A tribunal claim may be appropriate in other circumstances, including a claim concerning unpaid wages. The right route depends on the facts, so it is sensible to get advice before choosing one. Read Acas’s guidance on minimum wage underpayment.
How long do you have to make a claim?
Do not wait to investigate a possible underpayment. For a tribunal claim concerning one underpayment, the usual time limit for acts that occurred before 1st October 2026 is three months minus one day from the date you should have been paid. For acts that occur on or after 1st October 2026 you now have 6 months less one day to pursue a claim. If there has been a series of underpayments, the limit is generally measured from the most recent one. Acas explains that claims may reach back up to two years where the relevant conditions for a series of underpayments are met. Tribunal deadlines and the amount recoverable depend on the claim and its circumstances. Check the Acas guidance on time limits.
Elle-Mae Marsh, Employment Law Solicitor at NBB Waldrons, said: “Most people trust that the figure on their payslip is right. If your hours, pay or deductions do not add up, it is worth checking. A small shortfall each payday can become a significant amount over time, and there are deadlines for taking action.”
If you believe you have been paid below the minimum wage, contact Elle-Mae Marsh or our Employment Law team. NBB Waldrons supports clients across England and Wales, including through our offices in London, Merry Hill, Dudley, Kingswinford, Walsall, Birmingham, Cheltenham and Worcester. We can help you understand your pay, your options and any deadline that may apply.
