• Around two million of the UK’s lowest-paid workers have benefited from the Government’s increase to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage.
• The National Living Wage has risen by 2.2 per cent to £8.91 this year, and has been expanded to cover 23 and 24-year-olds for the first time.
• 245,000 workers across the south east of England will receive a pay rise through the increase to the National Living Wage, with 38,000 people also benefiting from the increase to the National Minimum Wage.

283,000 workers in the south east of England have received a pay increase this year thanks to increases to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage brought in by the Government.

The rate rises include a 2.2 per cent increase in the National Living Wage to £8.91, the equivalent of more than £345 extra per year for someone working full-time.

For the first time since it came into effect in 2016, more younger people will be eligible for the National Living Wage, as the age threshold will be lowered from 25 to 23 years old.

The rise means someone working full-time on the National Living Wage from April 2021 will be taking home £5,400 more annually than they were in 2010.

Henry said;

“This has been an extraordinarily difficult year for workers in Crawley, but as we recover from the pandemic, Government is determined to see more money in the pockets of our lowest-paid workers.

“These increases to the National Living and Minimum Wages will benefit around 283,000 people across the south east of England, giving a much-needed pay rise as we steadily reopen the economy and get more people back to work.

“This will help to protect the lowest paid and put more money in the pockets of hard-working families – supporting our recovery as we build back better from this pandemic.”

The Government remains committed to the target of the National Living Wage reaching two-thirds of median earnings by 2024, and this increase allows progress to continue to be made towards it.

Other rate increases include:

• A 2.0 per cent increase for 21-22-year-olds, from £8.20 to £8.36 an hour.
• A 1.7 per cent increase for 18-20-year-olds, from £6.45 to £6.56 an hour.
• A 1.5 per cent increase for under 18-year-olds, from £4.55 to £4.62 an hour.
• A 3.6 per cent increase to the Apprenticeship Wage, from £4.15 to £4.30 an hour.

These pay increases build on the unprecedented support the Government has delivered to protect jobs and livelihoods through the pandemic, including protecting 11.2 million jobs through the furlough scheme, £18.9 billion to support 2.7 million self-employed workers to date, and billions of pounds in tax deferrals and grants for businesses.

Last month’s Budget also introduced new measures to cut down on the cost of living by freezing fuel duty for the eleventh consecutive year – saving an average car driver £12.84 per tank and a cumulative £1,600, and freezing all alcohol duties, saving drinkers £1.7 billion.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said;

“The National Minimum and Living Wages have increased every year since they were introduced, supporting the lowest paid, and despite the challenges we’ve faced recently, this year will be no different.

“That’s why we’re providing a well-earned pay rise to two million people, which will be a welcome boost to families right across the UK.

“To make sure the next generation isn’t left behind, everyone over 23 years old will also now be eligible.”

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Kwasi Kwarteng, commented;

“In this toughest of years, we’re protecting workers by putting more money in the pockets of the UK’s lowest paid.

“To support our next generation of workers, we’ve also lowered the age threshold for the Living Wage to 23 – ensuring even more people have the security of a decent wage.

“This increase will help millions of families in every corner of the country, while supporting businesses as we prepare to safely reopen our economy and build back better from the pandemic.

“I’d urge all workers to check their pay packet to ensure they’re getting what they are entitled to, and remind employers of their duty to pay the correct wage.”