Bryan Sanderson of the Low Pay Commission (LPC) confirmed his recommendations for 2024 to the Secretary of State. This followed the LPC’s recommendations in 2019, that the age threshold for the National Living Wage (NLW), was lowered from 25 to 23 in April 2021 and will be lowered to 21 from April 2024. The new rate of £11.44 should apply to those aged 21 and above.
The Government has accepted the LPC’s recommendations for the rates of the NLW and the National Minimum Wage which will come into force from April 2024.
Mr Sanderson reports that the economy has barely grown for around 18 months, and the weak growth is expected to continue throughout 2024. Small and medium-sized businesses report the greatest concerns, as they are worried about their financial resilience and becoming insolvent, with small businesses making more difficult choices in how they respond to minimum wage uprating. Firms in low-paying sectors are worried about reduced consumer demand, costs of energy and the cost of labour.
The recommended rates apply from 1 April 2024:
| NMW Rate | Increase | Percentage Increase | |
| National Living Wage (21 and over) | £11.44 | £1.02 | 9.8% |
| 18-20 Year Old Rate | £8.60 | £1.11 | 14.8% |
| 16-17 Year Old Rate | £6.40 | £1.12 | 21.2% |
| Apprentice Rate | £6.40 | £1.12 | 21.2% |
