The National Living Wage has come into force across Britain, raising the minimum wage to £7.20 for all workers aged over 25.
The move was first announced in the 2015 Summer Budget, and will result in a £900 wage increase for full-time workers on the current National Minimum Wage.
2.9 million workers are expected to benefit from the increase by 2020, with 1.3 million expected to receive an immediate pay rise.
Chancellor George Osborne said: “I said last year when I announced plans for the National Living Wage that Britain deserved a pay rise. Today, I’m proud to say Britain is getting one.
“So I’m delighted that 1.3 million people across Britain will benefit from the biggest wage increase in eight years thanks to the new National Living Wage.
“The National Living Wage will play a central role in moving Britain to a higher wage, lower tax, lower welfare economy. It will also mark the end of the gender pay gap for some of our lowest paid and hardest working people.”
However, the rise has drawn some criticism, as workers aged 21 to 24 will continue to be entitled to the National Minimum Wage of £6.70 an hour.
Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the TUC union, said: "Britain desperately needs a pay rise, and this increase is good news for those aged 25 or older.
"But the Government must ensure that younger workers are not left behind. 21-24-year-olds will not be seeing an increase tomorrow. This is not fair. Future wage increases must narrow the pay gap between old and young.”
The government has announced new emergency measures to tackle the current housebuilding crisis in London and unlock tens of thousands of homes.
The Chancellor has appointed growth and productivity expert Dr Anna Valero as an Industrial Strategy advisor.
The Chancellor has announced a £500 million investment package to deliver growth in the Oxford to Cambridge Corridor and cement its status as
New data from Ordnance Survey (OS) will be used to support safe walking across Great Britain.
The government has announced new financial penalties for water companies who commit environmental offences.
Grantex is the UK’s leading supplier of specialist aggregates and producer of Premium Dried Sports Sand for High-Performance Synthetic Pitches.
Creating and maintaining an outstanding synthetic pitch starts with the right foundation. Grantex premium dried silica sand is engineered to deliver exceptional performance, durability and safety across a range of synthetic sports surfaces.
Join us for the landmark 10th Anniversary of the London Build Expo, the UK’s largest and most influential construction and design show.
Retail Supply Chain & Logistics Expo returns to Excel London across 12-13 November, once again bringing together the world of logistics, supply chain, eCommerce and retail innovation for two dynamic days of opportunity.
Every sport, from grassroots football to world-class tournaments, depends on one constant: high-quality playing surfaces and well-maintained green spaces.
Bauder marked a major milestone in its UK expansion with the official handover of a brand
At Words of World, we specialise in professional translation and interpreting, d
The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) and the Cleaning & Support Services Association (CSSA) have successfully completed a groundbreaking project aimed at exploring the future of cleaning. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the cleaning industry, reflecting a shared commitment to embracing innovation with confidence.
The Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) new framework on Language Services (RM6302), dealing with translation, transcription and interpreting, is live, running from 7th May 2025 to 6th May 2028.
