National Minimum Wage - From April 2026
The UK Government has confirmed the new National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates coming into effect from April 2026. These are particularly important for families and childcare professionals within the nanny and au pair sector.
Below, we break down the updated rates and what they mean for nannies, au pairs, and families who employ childcare workers through PAYE arrangements.
🔎 New National Minimum Wage Rates for 2026
From April 2026, the National Minimum Wage will rise as follows:
Ages 21 and over
- £12.71 per hour
- Increase: 4.1%
Ages 18–20
- £10.85 per hour
- Increase: 8.5%
These updated rates aim to protect younger workers while ensuring fair pay across all age brackets.
👶 What This Means for Au Pairs/Nannies
For families who employ au pairs/nannies, the 2026 update means:
✔️ Payroll must reflect the new minimums
From April 2026, all hourly or weekly gross pay must meet or exceed the updated rates.
✔️ Live-in employees are still covered
NMW applies to live-in employees, with only the small HMRC accommodation offset permitted if applicable. Accommodation offset will be confirmed in due course, once published.
✔️ Now is the time to review budgets
Families may wish to factor these changes into 2026 childcare planning to avoid last-minute adjustments.