MILLIONS of workers will get a pay rise of £1,400 a year from next week.
From Tuesday, April 1, the government is hiking the minimum wage for workers aged 21 and over by 6.7%.
This boost will see full-time workers aged 21 and over earning an extra £1,400 a year as the minimum wage rises.
The National Living Wage is set annually and typically rises each spring to keep pace with inflation and the cost of living.
The annual adjustment is designed to help keep wages in line with inflation and the cost of living.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the upcoming increase in her Spring Statement last Wednesday, highlighting its positive impact on workers across various sectors, including retail and hospitality.
The last increase in April 2024 saw the National Living Wage jump by 10%.
Minimum wage shake-up
There are currently two different minimum rates all workers are supposed to get across the UK –National Minimum Wageand the National Living Wage.
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is the minimum pay per hour for workers who have left school.
As it stands, those who have left school and are aged under 18 must get a minimum of £6.40 an hour.
Meanwhile, the National Living Wage is the minimum wage for those over 21 and is slightly higher.
It was previously only available to those over 23, but this was adjusted to 21 and over in November 2023.
It's currently worth £11.44 an hour but this will change from April 1, 2025.
Both the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rise each year so workers' pay keeps up with the cost of living.
A breakdown of minimum wage changes
The changes on Tuesday, April 1, 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 to £7.55 per hour.
Who gets the National Minimum Wage?
You qualify for the National Minimum Wage if you are of school leaving age, which is usually above 16.
You are eligible to receive the pay rate if you work full-time or part-time.
Apprentices also qualify for a National Minimum Wage, as well as trainees and staff still in their probationary period.
The rates also apply to disabled workers.
Those who are self-employed, voluntary workers, company directors, and family members who live in the home of the employer and do household chores do not qualify for the minimum wage.
Au pairs, members of the armed forces, and people on a governmentemploymentprogramme are also not entitled to the payment.
What's the Real Living Wage?
Unlike the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, the rate is not a legal requirement and is voluntary.
Over 15,000 UK businesses voluntarily pay it because they believe their staff deserve a wage that meets everyday needs.
Those working for employers subscribed to the scheme can expect to earn £12 an hour or £13.15 an hour is they're based in London.
