The national living wage could rise by up to 65p an hour next year, an advisory body has estimated.

However, a more modest 50p increase to £12.71 would be enough to ensure the minimum wage doesn’t fall below the Government’s target.

The UK Government has asked the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to ensure the national living wage doesn’t drop below two-thirds of UK median earnings.

It’s part of the Government’s commitment to “raising the living standards of working people”.

The latest projections for the national living wage in 2026 were published on Tuesday.

Taking into account the cost of living, inflation forecasts, the impact on the labour market, and other conditions, the LPC estimated that a 4.1% increase will be necessary by next April.

“Our central estimate is that a national living

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