Do you employ workers on your farm? Take our National Living Wage survey

To help inform the NFU's response to the LPC's consultation we need information from farmers and growers around the county.

To gather the information, an NFU National Living Wage survey is now open and we urge all farmers and growers employing full time, part time, seasonal and permanent workers to respond.

The closing date for the NFU National Living Wage survey is 12 June 2026.

Take the survey

National Living Wage projection 

The Low Pay Commission projects that to keep the national living wage at two-thirds of median earnings another significant rise of up to 5% is on the cards from April 2027. 

It cites a likely range for the 2027 NLW rate of between £13.02 and £13.34, with a best estimate of £13.18, up 3.7% on the current £12.71. 

This is a projection, and not a forecast, and those figures could change in line with economic conditions. 

While the NFU supports fair wages, it says there must be flexibility when the NLW is set to take into account economic conditions and affordability for businesses. It will make an evidence-based call for pay pragmatism. 

The £12.71 rate for 2026 came into force at the start of April. 

The Low Pay Commission will be visiting locations across the UK in 2026 to speak directly with employers and workers about the impact of the National Minimum Wage.

These visits are a good opportunity for NFU members to share real world experience of labour costs, pay pressures and employment challenges. The evidence gathered will feed directly into recommendations to government on future minimum wage rates.

Why you should take part

The LPC is the independent body that advises the government on minimum wage levels. Its recommendations influence future National Living Wage and youth rate increases, so input from farm businesses and rural employers is important.

The Commission uses:

• Economic and labour market data, and
• Direct evidence from employers and workers to inform its advice. Hearing from agriculture and food production businesses helps ensure that sector specific challenges are understood.

What the LPC is looking for

During the visits, the LPC is keen to hear views on:

• Local labour market conditions.
• Pay and employment outlook within your business.
• The impact of recent and planned minimum wage increases.
• Views on how the minimum wage should develop in future.

All discussions are confidential. Evidence is anonymised and will not be attributed to individuals or businesses without permission.

2026 meetings

If you want to meet the Commissioners meetings will be held in:

• Bradford:18–19 March
• Blackpool:15–16 April
• Aberdeen: 13–14 May
• Peterborough: 10–11 June
• Wrexham: 1–2 July
• Derry: 29–30 July

These visits provide an opportunity to share practical, real-world experiences of how the minimum wage is affecting businesses and workers in different regions and sectors.

There is an option to meet the Commissioners in person or virtually online. If you wish to take part, please contact the LPC at: [email protected]. 

On 26 November the government confirmed the NLW rates for 2026:

The LPC has updated its projection on where the 2026 NLW (national living wage) may land.

The new projection by the LPC, published on 5 August 2025, is that a rate in a band ranging between £12.55 to £12.86 with a central estimate of £12.71 would ensure the NLW does not fall below two-thirds of median earnings.

The projection by the LPC has increased because wage inflation has been strong and may continue to rise over the remainder of 2025.

The LPC is currently gathering and assessing evidence and will deliver its proposals to the government in October 2025 on the NLW and other minimum wage rates to apply from April 2026.

More information can be read at: GOV.UK | National Living Wage estimate update