Based on 2026/27 England, Wales & Northern Ireland tax rates. Assumes standard tax code 1257L, no student loan, no pension contributions. Scotland has different income tax bands.
PeriodGrossTake-home
Per hour£8.00£7.56
Per day£60.00£56.74
Per week£300.00£283.68
Per month£1,300.00£1,229.30
Per year£15,600.00£14,751.60
This is below the National Living Wage of £12.71/hour for workers aged 21 and over.
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At £8 per hour, the pay rate is below the 2026 National Living Wage of £12.71 for workers aged 21 and over. For most adult employees in the UK, £8/hour is only legal for apprentices or workers aged 16 to 17 — employers must pay at least the NLW for other age groups.
On a gross annual salary of £15,600, HMRC deducts £606 in income tax and £242 in employee National Insurance for 2026/27 — leaving a take-home of £14,752 per year, or roughly £1,229 per month.
The first £12,570 of income is tax-free (the personal allowance). Earnings between £12,571 and £50,270 are taxed at 20%; between £50,271 and £125,140 at 40%; and above £125,140 at 45%. Employee National Insurance is 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 and 2% above that.
Working 40 hours vs 37.5 hours
These figures assume a 37.5-hour working week. At 40 hours per week the annual gross rises to £16,640. After tax and NI the take-home at 40 hours is approximately £15,500 per year.
Questions about £8 per hour
£8 per hour is £15,600 per year gross, based on a 37.5-hour working week and 52 weeks a year (1,950 hours per year). At 40 hours per week the annual equivalent is £16,640.