Clarke & Co

Are you ready for April 2025?

Talk to an expert

The new National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates will come into force from 1 April 2025.


There are also changes to the National Insurance employers pay that take effect from 6 April. For many businesses, the April payroll will represent a sizeable step up in labour costs.


As a reminder, here is a quick recap of the changes.


National Minimum Wage rates


The new minimum wage rates are as follows:


Hourly Rate:
National Living Wage (21 and over) - £12.21
18-20 Year Old Rate£ -10.00
16-17 Year Old Rate - £7.55
Apprentice Rate - £7.55
Accommodation Offset - £10.66


Employers National Insurance changes


The percentage rate of Employers’ National Insurance (NI) that’s paid on an employee’s earnings increases to 15% (from 13.8%).


The threshold that an employee needs to be earning before any Employers’ NI is due drops to £5,000 a year. Previously this was £9,500.


If you use online payroll software, the new Employers’ NI rates should be automatically included. However, please check with your payroll software provider if you are not sure.


If you need any help using the new rates or calculating the amount of minimum wage that is due to a worker, please get in touch. We would be happy to help you!

October 29, 2025
Bridging Generational Gaps: How to Build a Better Workplace for Everyone

Conversations about Generation Z (those born roughly after 1996) and the workplace tend to generate headlines - perhaps even blaming younger workers for disrupting the traditional norms of office culture.

Read article
October 27, 2025
Government borrowing rises in September - what it could mean for businesses ahead of the Budget

Official figures show that UK government borrowing reached £20.2 billion in September - the highest for the month in five years. The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), underline the financial pressures facing the Chancellor as preparations continue for next month’s Budget.

Read article