Workers set for pay rise with new national minimum wage rates

Hundreds of thousands of the lowest paid workers in Scotland will get a pay rise from Tuesday.

New National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates have come into effect, benefiting some 220,000 people.

Full-time workers on the National Living Wage will see a real-terms pay increase of £1,400 per year.

UK Government business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “We promised to make low pay a thing of the past. Now, as part of our Plan to Make Work Pay and the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation, we are delivering that.

“Low pay is not only bad for workers, it prevents them from spending on our high streets and allowing local businesses to achieve their full potential.

“By ensuring that everyone gets a fair wage for the hours they work, we’re delivering the financial stability needed to kick-start economic growth and ensure our country is fit for the future.”

The full increases from 1 April 2025 are:

National Living Wage (21+) has increased 6.7%, from £11.44 to £12.21 per hour
National Minimum Wage (18-20) has a record increase of 16.2%, from £8.60 to £10 per hour
National Minimum Wage (under 18) has increased 18%, to £7.55 per hour
Apprentice Rate has the largest increase of 18%, from £6.40 to £7.55 per hour
Accommodation Offset of £10.66 per day

Scottish secretary Ian Murray said: “This well-deserved pay rise for up to 220,000 Scots is a landmark moment in the UK Government’s Plan for Change. It will boost economic growth and put more money in people’s pockets – we will always ensure that working people benefit.

“We are taking comprehensive action to deliver the biggest improvements to workers’ rights in a generation, where jobs will not only be better paid, but more secure and with employees having stronger rights.

“We will continue to do whatever is necessary to help more people into work – while always supporting those who cannot – as we secure Britain’s future and a decade of renewal for households the length and breadth of Scotland.”