Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the minimum wage, accommodation, and take-home pay questions workers ask most often.
What is the UK minimum wage from 1 April 2026?
From 1 April 2026 the hourly legal minimum is £12.71 for workers aged 21 and over, £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds, and £8.00 for 16 to 17 year olds. The apprentice rate is £8.00.
Does accommodation affect the minimum wage check?
Yes. Employer accommodation is handled through a daily accommodation offset. Free accommodation can increase the pay counted for minimum wage, while charges above the daily cap reduce it.
Do uniform costs count against my minimum wage?
If you have to pay for uniforms, tools, or dress-code items needed for the job, those costs can reduce the pay counted for minimum wage purposes even when they are not deducted straight from payroll.
Do tips count towards the minimum wage?
No. Tips, gratuities, and voluntary service charges do not count towards National Minimum Wage pay. They may still be taxable, but they should not be used to make up the statutory hourly rate.
Are the April 2027 minimum wage rates final yet?
No. The Low Pay Commission has consulted on rates for April 2027, including an indicative National Living Wage range, but the legal rates are not final until the government confirms them. Current pay checks should still use the rates effective from 1 April 2026.
Is the take-home estimate exact?
It is an estimate based on the 2026/27 tax year, a standard Personal Allowance, and employee National Insurance category A. Real payslips can differ if you have pension deductions, student loans, Scottish tax, salary sacrifice, or a non-standard tax code.
Want the numbers for your own pay?
Use the calculator to check your hourly rate, deductions, and net pay in one pass.