April minimum wage increases welcomed

Over 3 million workers in shops, restaurants and workplaces across the UK are set to receive pay increases from April.

The Government has confirmed that a new National Living Wage of £12.21, and a new National Minimum Wage of £10.00 per hour will be implemented from April.

Announced at last year’s Budget, the 6.7% increase to the National Living Wage will be worth £1,400 a year for an eligible worker.

The National Minimum Wage for 18-20-year-olds is also set to increase by £1.40 to £10.00 per hour.

Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders said:

“Economic growth only matters if working people are feeling the benefits.

This will be a welcome pay bump for millions of workers who in turn will spend more in the real economy boosting our high streets.

Our Plan for Change is putting money back into people’s pockets and delivering better living standards across the country.”

Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed much-needed increases in minimum wage rates. Paddy Lillis – Usdaw general secretary said:

“Usdaw provided evidence for significant pay increases for the lowest paid, after a three-year-long cost of living crisis under the Tories. We are pleased that Labour’s new remit for the Low Pay Commission has resulted in progress towards delivering a statutory real living wage and has started on the road to ending rip-off youth rates.

Labour in government is already delivering the new deal for workers that Usdaw long campaigned for. The Employment Rights Bill will help secure economic growth, after years of stagnation, by improving productivity and stopping rogue employers undercutting those who treat their staff properly.

Labour’s policies will also help give workers security, respect and the decency of an income they can live on. These are welcome protections that should help in future economic shocks. This is the transformational change that the country voted for, after 14 years of Tory chaos, austerity and attacks on workers’ rights.”