Date workers will benefit from national minimum wage increase

OVER THREE MILLIONS WORKERS ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF SECTORS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PAY INCREASE 18:34, 12 Mar 2025 Millions of workers are set for a significant pay increase from April to

improve living standards. There will be a pay boost worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker. The hourly rate for the minimum wage depends on your age and whether you’re an

apprentice. You must be at least school leaving age to get the National Minimum Wage and aged 21 to get the National Living Wage - the minimum wage will still apply for workers aged 20 and

under. Over three millions workers across a wide range of sectors will be eligible for the pay increase, including those working in shops and restaurants. The change to wages will put

thousands of pounds back in the pockets of working people every year. On February 4, the government laid legislation that confirmed a new National Living Wage of £12.21 and a new National

Minimum Wage of £10.00 per hour from April 1. The National Minimum Wage for 18-20 year olds is also set to increase by £1.40 to £10.00 per hour This is a record increase which means

full-time younger workers eligible for the rate will see their pay boosted by £2,500 a year. The increased income is set to boost financial stability for millions of families. Article

continues below 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." The National Living Wage applies to most workers whereas the National Minimum Wage is the minimum amount an employer must pay per hour for all workers aged below

21. The new pay increase will also put an end to age-based wage discrimination, meaning employers can no longer be justified in paying younger workers less for doing the same job as their

older colleagues. THE CHANGES FROM APRIL WILL MEAN: * The National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over will rise from £11.44 per hour to £12.21 per hour * The National Minimum Wage for

18- to 20-year-olds rises from £8.60 to £10.00 per hour * The apprenticeship rate for 16 to 17 year-olds rises from £6.40 per hour to £7.55 per hour The April pay rise comes as the latest

ONS stats showed average weekly earnings after inflation have risen at their fastest year-on-year rate in over three years. The government states: "The Employment Rights Bill will boost

productivity by creating a secure workforce to help us deliver our first mission to kickstart economic growth. "Working across government, including with HMRC and Acas, we will

continue to engage closely with businesses, unions and wider society to ensure that all employers are aware of the new rates and taking the steps needed to prepare for payroll changes on 1

April." Article continues below Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: "We’ve taken quick and sensible action to boost wages for millions of lower paid workers who are the

backbone and future of our economy. "This is us fulfilling our promise to make work pay and improve living standards across the country, with record boosts to support young people and

apprentices - our skilled workers of tomorrow."