UK National Minimum Wage 2025/26: What Temporary Workers Need to Know

The UK National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) rates increased on 1 April 2025. If you work flexible shifts, whether in hospitality, warehousing, retail, or events, it's worth understanding what you're legally entitled to, how holiday pay works, and how to check your payslip.

The 2025/26 NMW rates

From 1 April 2025, the rates are:

Age group | Hourly rate:

21 and over (National Living Wage): £12.21. Age 18 – 20: £10.18. Under 18 (school leaving age): £7.55. and Apprentice: £6.40.

These are minimums. Many roles, especially in London, in skilled positions, or on night shifts, pay above this rate.

What FlexStaff pays

Update for 2026/27: the National Living Wage rose to £12.71 on 1 April 2026. FlexStaff now sets a minimum of £12.71 per hour on every shift, regardless of sector or the worker's age.

Actual pay varies by role. Bar staff at a venue may pay £12.50 – £13.50. Specialist roles (forklift drivers, silver service) typically pay higher. The rate is always visible on the shift before you apply; no surprises.

Holiday pay explained

If you're a worker (not an employee), you're still entitled to paid holiday under the Working Time Regulations. For workers with irregular hours, holiday pay is calculated at 12.07% of your gross earnings.

This figure comes from the statutory entitlement of 5.6 weeks per year, expressed as a percentage of total working weeks (5.6 ÷ 46.4 weeks = 12.07%).

FlexStaff includes holiday pay in every payslip. You don't need to request it or "save it up." It's calculated on every shift you work and paid on the same Friday as your regular pay.

How your take-home is calculated

Here's a worked example for a 25 hour week at £12.21/hr:

Amount:

Base pay (25hrs × £12.21) = £305.25 Holiday pay (12.07%) = +£36.84 Gross pay = £342.09 Income tax (20% basic rate, above £242/wk threshold) = −£20.07 National Insurance (8%) = −£5.06 Net take-home = £316.96

Actual deductions depend on your tax code and National Insurance category. If you have a second job or are over the NI threshold from other income, your deductions may differ. Your payslip, available in the FlexStaff app, shows the full breakdown every week.

Your rights if you think you're being underpaid

If you believe you've been paid below the minimum wage:

1. Check your payslip carefully. Make sure the rate matches the shift rate shown when you applied.
2. Contact FlexStaff support. We can review your timesheet and payment records immediately.
3. Report to HMRC. The National Minimum Wage enforcement team at HMRC investigates underpayment. You can report via the government website.
4. Bring a tribunal claim. Workers can claim arrears at an employment tribunal. There is no cap on arrears claims, and tribunals can also award a penalty against the employer.

FlexStaff workers are employed by FlexStaff, not the end client. If there's a pay dispute, we are your first point of contact and we take it seriously.

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Have a question about your pay? Contact us in the app or at support@flexstaff.co.uk. We aim to respond within one business day.