Pay boost for millions as minimum wage rates increase

31 March 2021, 23:59 | Updated: 1 April 2021, 06:26

Around two million of the UK's lowest-paid workers will receive a "well-earned" pay rise from Thursday with increases in statutory minimum wages.

Workers are being urged to check their pay packets as the National Living Wage rises by 2.2% to £8.91, the equivalent of more than £345 a year for a full-time employee, and will be given to 23 and 24-year-olds for the first time.

The Living Wage Foundation said workers paid the voluntary so-called Real Living Wage will receive £1,150 more over the coming year, and £3,800 in London, compared with those on the statutory rate.

Ministers said the increase means a full-time worker on the National Living Wage will be taking home £5,400 more annually than they were in 2010, and it will particularly benefit workers in sectors such as retail, hospitality and cleaning and maintenance.

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "The National Minimum and Living Wages have increased every year since they were introduced, supporting the lowest paid, and despite the challenges we've faced recently, this year will be no different.

"That's why we're providing a well-earned pay rise to two million people, which will be a welcome boost to families right across the UK.

"To make sure the next generation isn't left behind, everyone over 23 years old will also now be eligible."

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: "In this toughest of years, we're protecting workers by putting more money in the pockets of the UK's lowest paid.

"To support our next generation of workers, we've also lowered the age threshold for the Living Wage to 23, ensuring even more people have the security of a decent wage.

"This increase will help millions of families in every corner of the country, while supporting businesses as we prepare to safely reopen our economy and build back better from the pandemic.

"I'd urge all workers to check their pay packet to ensure they're getting what they are entitled to, and remind employers of their duty to pay the correct wage."

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: "We know that the past year has been very difficult for businesses and families across the country. This pay rise will help support employees as we steadily reopen the economy and get more people back to work."

The increases are £8.72 to £8.91 an hour for workers over the age of 23; from £8.20 to £8.36 for those aged 21-22; from £6.45 to £6.56 for 18 to 20-year-olds; from £4.55 to £4.62 for under-18s; and £4.15 to £4.30 for apprentices.

Chancellor announces increase in National Living Wage

Mike Hawking of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said: "The pandemic has shown the urgency of taking steps to tackle the injustice of in-work poverty and move towards a Real Living Wage.

"Today's boost is necessary but as we start to recover from the impact of the last year, too many workers are finding that minimum wage increases are being wiped out due to inadequate social security, insufficient hours available to them, and high housing costs."

Laura Gardiner, director of the Living Wage Foundation, which sets the voluntary Real Living Wage rates - currently £10.85 an hour in London and £9.50 outside the capital - said: "The introduction of the National Living Wage has delivered a solid pay rise to minimum wage workers, and it's welcome to see the Government continuing to commit to ambitious increases.

"However, there is still a substantial gap between this wage rate and one based on the cost of living, with National Living Wage workers falling billions of pounds short of a real Living Wage over the past five years.

"The number of employers signing up to the Real Living Wage has continued to grow, even during the pandemic, as businesses recognise the benefits of a healthy and motivated workforce."

Bryan Sanderson, chairman of the Low Pay Commission, which recommends the statutory rates, said: "This week's increase is our first step towards the Government's target of two-thirds of median earnings.

"It is a real-terms increase, meaning that an hour's work can buy more than it could last year at the start of the pandemic. The level of the new rate however also reflects the need to protect workers from job losses."

The commission said its best estimate for the National Living Wage rate in 2022 is £9.42, but this is subject to more uncertainty than usual and is likely to change.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Those expecting a decent pay increase today have been let down by the Government's decision to row back on the full rise they were promised.

"TUC analysis shows that one in three key workers earn less than £10 an hour. This can make it tough for them to pay bills and put food on the table.

"Ministers must get the minimum wage up to £10-an-hour to stop millions of working people from living in poverty."