Hourly pay set to rise this week for millions of workers

Up to 1.7 million employees across the UK aged 25 years and over are set to experience a 4.2 per cent pay rise this week, with their hourly wage going up 30p an hour to £7.50.

Additionally, some 200,000 workers aged 21-24-years-old will also experience a pay increase to their hourly wage to £7.05.

The UK government has launched a new advertising campaign designed to encourage workers to check their pay after a recent poll found that 13 per cent of people earning less than £15,000 a year check their pay less than every two months.

The survey also found that, in some cases, workers received less than the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or National Living Wage (NLW) because employers wrongly included tips in pay, failed to pay up for time spent travelling in between meetings or incorrectly took payments for uniforms.

Business Minister, Margot James, said: “More than two million workers will receive an above inflation step up in pay, with some set for a £600-a-year pay rise.

“Every worker in the UK is entitled to at least the NMW or NLW and we are determined that they get it.

“From today, my clear message to everyone is to check your pay, talk to your boss and report underpayment to Acas.”

From 1st April 2017, the new rates for workers across the UK are:

• £7.50 per hour – workers aged 25 years and over

• £7.05 per hour – workers aged 21 to 24 years old

• £5.60 per hour – workers aged 18 to 20 years old

• £4.05 per hour – workers aged 16 to 17 years old

• £3.50 per hour - apprentices

Date published 5 Apr 2017 | Last updated 5 Apr 2017