Henry Smith MP has welcomed the news that more than 188,000 people in south east England working on the National Living Wage are receiving a 5 per cent pay rise, worth an extra £690 over the course of the year, in the biggest pay rise for low paid workers in 20 years.
From 1st April, the National Living Wage went up by the highest rate since it was first introduced, increasing by almost 5 per cent to £8.21 per hour – giving almost 2 million of the lowest paid a pay rise.
Henry said;
“This pay rise is good news for over 188,000 workers in the south east of England on the National Living Wage, who will earn an extra £690 over the course of the year.
“Since the Government’s introduction of the National Living Wage in 2016 we’ve seen wages for the lowest paid receive their biggest rise in 20 years – that means more hard cash in the pockets of hard-working people at the end of each month.”
This increase means that a full-time worker receiving the National Living Wage will be more than £2,750 better off over-the-year compared to 2015.
The Government introduced the National Living Wage in 2016 and since then the lowest paid have seen their biggest pay rise in 20 years.
The changes coming into effect from 1st April mean:
· Around 2.1 million workers are set to benefit – this includes 1.8 million people receiving the National Living Wage who will receive an additional £690 over the year – as the biggest ever increase to the NLW comes into effect.
· The National Minimum Wage is also increasing, to £7.70 per hour for 21 to 24-year olds and to £6.15 for 18 to 20-year olds, with workers in the retail and hospitality sectors due to benefit the most.
The Business Minister, Kelly Tolhurst MP, commented;
“We are committed to making sure that UK workers get a fair day’s pay and the rise in the National Living and Minimum Wage, benefiting millions of people and the biggest in its 20-year existence, delivers on this commitment.
“Our minimum wage rates are among the highest in the world and, through our modern Industrial Strategy, we are determined to end low pay and workers get a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.”
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