Minimum Wage Increase from 1st April
Employers should be aware that all minimum wage rates increase on 1 April of each year. This includes all National Minimum Wage rates and the National Living Wage rate. The new minimum wage rates apply to eligible workers in Northern Ireland from 1 April 2021.
Minimum wage – increased rates from April 2021
See table below that shows the current minimum wage rates and new rates from April 2021:
| Rate from April 2020 | Rate from April 2021 | Increase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Living Wage (23 years old and over)* | £8.71 | £8.91 | 2.2% |
| National Minimum Wage adult rate (21-22 years old) | £8.20 | £8.36 | 2.0% |
| National Minimum Wage (18-20 years old) | £6.45 | £6.56 | 1.7% |
| National Minimum Wage (16-17 years old) | £4.55 | £4.62 | 1.5% |
| National Minimum Wage (apprentice rate) | £4.15 | £4.30 | 3.6% |
| Accommodation Offset | £8.20 | £8.36 | 2.0% |
The National Living Wage is currently available to those who are 25 years old and over but this will be extended to 23 and 24 year olds from 1 April 2021.
