1.8 million workers earning the National Living Wage will receive an additional £690 over the year from today.

• Full-time workers receiving National Living Wage will be more than £2,750 better off a year compared to 2015, when the rate was first announced
• the National Living Wage will go up today by the highest rate since it was first introduced, increasing by almost 5% to £8.21 per hour
• 2.1 million workers set to benefit from minimum wage increases, including almost 800,000 retail and hospitality workers
• increases to the minimum wage rates form part of government’s commitment to protect the UK’s lowest paid workers through its modern Industrial Strategy

1.8 million workers earning the National Living Wage (NLW) will receive an additional £690 over the year from today (Monday 1 April), as the biggest ever increase to NLW comes into effect.
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is also increasing. This includes £7.70 per hour for 21 to 24-year olds, providing an additional £580 over the year for full-time workers, and £6.15 for 18 to 20-year olds, providing full-time workers with an additional £455 over the year. Taken together with changes to NLW, 2.1 million people will be receiving a pay increase from today, with workers in the retail and hospitality sectors due to benefit the most.

Business Minister Kelly Tolhurst said:

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, delivers on this commitment.
Since the National Living Wage was announced in 2015, it has helped protect the lowest paid – increasing faster than inflation and average earnings. 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.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, said:

This government is dedicated to increasing the wages of the lowest paid which is why we introduced the National Living Wage and have continued to increase the National Minimum Wage rates – all of which will rise again today and benefit millions of workers.
This government is committed to raising productivity performance across the income spectrum, so that the wages of the lowest paid can increase sustainably over time. While the proportion of low paid jobs is now at its lowest level for 20 years, we are going further by asking Professor Arindrajit Dube, a world-leading expert in the field, to undertake a review of the international evidence of minimum wages on productivity and employment.

Low Pay Commission Chair Bryan Sanderson said:

We are pleased that millions of workers across the country will see an above-inflation pay rise as a result of today’s minimum wage increases, which follow the recommendations the LPC made in the autumn.
Today is particularly significant as it also marks 20 years of the National Minimum Wage. Over the last 20 years the NMW and more recently the NLW have achieved their goal of raising pay without significant negative effects on employment.

The UK’s minimum wage is currently growing faster than other countries with similar or higher minimum wage, such as Belgium, France and Germany.

The government aims to end low pay and later this year will announce the independent Low Pay Commission’s remit after 2020. At Spring Statement, ministers also announced that the world-leading academic Professor Arindrajit Dube will lead a review of the impact of minimum wages internationally.
Wage increases follow hot on the heels of the biggest increase to workers’ rights in a generation, launched in 2018, and are a vital aspect of the modern Industrial Strategy.

As part of this, on 6 April all workers, including casual and zero-hour workers, will have the right to receive a payslip and the maximum employment tribunal fines for employers will quadruple from £5,000 to £20,000.

The Minimum Wage needs raising even higher, it is scandalous that people working full time should still be reliant on benefits, the Taxpayer should not be subsidising these companies not paying a proper wage.

Originally Posted by Alikado

The Minimum Wage needs raising even higher, it is scandalous that people working full time should still be reliant on benefits, the Taxpayer should not be subsidising these companies not paying a proper wage.

Welcome to capitalism!

Originally Posted by Alikado

The Minimum Wage needs raising even higher, it is scandalous that people working full time should still be reliant on benefits, the Taxpayer should not be subsidising these companies not paying a proper wage.

In what way do those of us who are taxpayers "subsidise" companies that don't pay a "proper" wage, and how much is a proper wage?

Your wasting your words on this warped lefty scrounger ,I had a torrent of abuse off this low life the first post i made,Just condemn him and his backward ideas to the waste disposal outlet

Originally Posted by abbeyroad

In what way do those of us who are taxpayers "subsidise" companies that don't pay a "proper" wage, and how much is a proper wage?

Let’s just look at these rich capitalists! Not every business is large, most are small, so let’s get started. earn by Work (remember that concept) and gain a profit £100 Less 20% Vat. Down to £80. None salary Overheads £20 Down to £60. Wages £20 Down to £40. Less corporation tax 20% £20 Down to £20 left to pay for all the parts for the next job and reinvest into the company. Won’t even mention all the time required to do unpaid admin!

If it’s so easy all you have to do is put your hand into your own pocket the start to trade all at your own risk.

Originally Posted by reevsy

Let’s just look at these rich capitalists! Not every business is large, most are small, so let’s get started. earn by Work (remember that concept) and gain a profit £100 Less 20% Vat. Down to £80. None salary Overheads £20 Down to £60. Wages £20 Down to £40. Less corporation tax 20% £20 Down to £20 left to pay for all the parts for the next job and reinvest into the company. Won’t even mention all the time required to do unpaid admin!

If it’s so easy all you have to do is put your hand into your own pocket the start to trade all at your own risk.

That’s fine. You pay me the absolute bare minimum for a days work, don’t expect me to put in anymore than the absolute bare minimum effort. Works both ways you clowns.

Originally Posted by EvilCapitalist

Your wasting your words on this warped lefty scrounger ,I had a torrent of abuse off this low life the first post i made,Just condemn him and his backward ideas to the waste disposal outlet

Abuse on here is water off a duck's back. Nobody is particularly good at it. All I'm asking is for people who make statements purporting to be fact to justify them. In this instance I'm interested to know how the taxpayer is supposedly subsidising companies who do not pay a "proper" wage, whatever a "proper" wage is supposed to be. If Alikado is confident of his facts then it shouldn't be a difficult question to answer.

Originally Posted by donkey22

Welcome to capitalism!

I agree, welcome indeed to capitalism - a system which allows you, by means of grunt and endeavour, to be in the rich(er) person's shoes. A system which provides for you to start up your own small business.
In my time I've worked for big companies, small companies and the government, I've had my own small business so I know what I'm talking about.

You are perfectly at liberty to sit there whining about how awful it is working wherever you happen to be, whilst simultaneously bemoaning the good fortune enjoyed by the business owner.
After all he's only put his house up as collateral for the business, probably worked for some considerable time earning much less than the minimum wage, whilst now enjoying working many more hours than you do.

Of course you can adopt the position you have and just do the bare minimum - in which case they can take the view, ok, we'll pay you the bare minimum.

Works both ways.

Originally Posted by roving-eye

1.8 million workers earning the National Living Wage will receive an additional £690 over the year from today.

Will Pensioners be equally well rewarded?

Originally Posted by abbeyroad

In what way do those of us who are taxpayers "subsidise" companies that don't pay a "proper" wage, and how much is a proper wage?

Because the taxpayer is funding benefits that are paid to working people who don't earn enough to live on.