The latest rise in the voluntary living wage (VLW) takes it to £13.45 nationally. This is some 74p (or 5.8%) higher than the forthcoming statutory National Living Wage (NLW) rate of £12.71. These new rates for 2026 represent rises of 6.7% and 4.1% respectively on the 2025 rates, which were closer in value with a gap of just 39p (or 3.2%). The gap between the two had closed on foot of a series of higher-than-average increases in the legal floor. But this year’s increase in the NLW is much lower than previously. In recent years the voluntary rate has been, on average, 5.1% higher than the statutory rate. So...
