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Living Wage

Asked by Jim McMahonLabour (Co-op)Department for Business and TradeTabled Answered 17 December 2025UIN 97870

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the government intends to equalise the National Living Wage rates for workers over 18 years old.

Answered by Kate Dearden

The removal of the 18–20-year-old age band is a manifesto pledge; we remain committed to the equalisation of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW).

The latest increase to the NMW of 8.5% continues to close the gap between the 18-20 NMW rate and the NLW rate, moving towards a single adult rate.

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