UK living wage increases to go ahead next week

LONDON: Planned increases in the statutory minimum wage rates are to go ahead as planned, giving a pay rise for workers across the UK. There have been calls to delay the increase because of the turmoil caused across the country by the coronavirus crisis.

A government spokesman told the PA news agency: “It is right that workers are fairly rewarded and should not lose out during this time of disruption. Therefore, we will continue with our proposed increases to the national living wage and the national minimum wage in April.

“However, we recognise that this will mean extra costs for some businesses. The Chancellor has announced the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms continue to keep people in employment.”

The statutory rate for over-25s — the national living wage — will go up from £8.21 an hour to £8.72 on April 1, while the national minimum wage will go up from £7.70 to £8.20 for 21 to 24-year-olds, from £6.15 to £6.45 for 18 to 20-year-olds and from £4.35 to £4.55 for under-18s. The hourly rate for apprentices will increase from £3.90 to £4.15.

The new rates are still lower than the voluntary real living wage of £10.75 an hour in London and £9.30 outside the capital.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Wednesday’s pay rise will make a real difference to over a million low-paid workers across the country. Many care staff are on the minimum wage. They’re looking after the elderly and vulnerable in the most challenging of circumstances and deserve every penny. All employers must ensure their staff get the legal increase next week.”