Think you’ve been underpaid? Here’s what to check and what to do next

Checking your payslip might not be the most exciting thing to do, but it could be worth a few minutes of your time, particularly if your hours or pay have recently changed.

The Government has named around 660 employers who failed to pay the National Minimum Wage, with around £4 million being returned to more than 27,000 workers. A further £7 million in penalties has been issued to employers.

So, what should you actually be checking?

Start with your payslip

Take a look at your payslip and check that the amount you’ve been paid matches what you were expecting.

It’s worth checking your hourly rate, the number of hours you’ve worked and whether there are any deductions you don’t recognise.

From April 2026, the National Minimum Wage rates are:

• 21 and over: £12.71 an hour
• 18 to 20: £10.85 an hour
• Under 18: £8 an hour
• Apprentices: £8 an hour

For example, someone aged 21 or over working 35 hours a week at £12.71 an hour would earn £444.85 a week before tax, National Insurance and other deductions.

The Government also has a minimum wage calculator which can help you check whether your pay is correct.

Your hourly rate might not tell the whole story

You can be underpaid even if your hourly rate looks right. Unpaid working time and certain deductions from your pay can affect whether you have actually received the minimum wage you’re entitled to.

For example, some time spent working, training or being required to be available for work can count towards the hours used to calculate minimum wage. Certain deductions from your pay can also affect the calculation.

This is why it’s worth looking at the bigger picture rather than simply checking the hourly figure on your payslip.

What should you do if something doesn’t look right?

If you think you’ve been underpaid, start by checking your payslips, contract and records of the hours you’ve worked.

Then speak to your employer and explain what you think is wrong. Keep copies of your payslips and any other records that could help show what you were paid and how much you worked.

If you can’t resolve the issue, you can get advice from Acas or contact the Fair Work Agency about a minimum wage complaint.

Why it’s worth checking

The latest Government figures show just how widespread minimum wage underpayments can be.

Among the employers named in the latest enforcement round, one was found to have underpaid more than £456,000 to around 4,530 workers. While another underpaid more than £330,000 to 1,095 workers.

These are big numbers, but underpayments don’t have to be huge to make a difference to an individual household budget.

If you’re already watching every pound coming in and going out, even a relatively small amount of missing pay can make it harder to cover your regular bills or build up a financial buffer.

So, if something doesn’t look right on your payslip, don’t just assume it’s a mistake you have to live with.