Millions of workers are set to benefit from the raise in the National Living Wage from today (April 1).
The new rate was first announced in last November’s Spending Review, before Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed it in his March 2021 Budget.
The National Living Wage is higher than the National Minimum Wage.
But what does the raise in National Living Wage mean for workers, and how does it differ to the National Minimum Wage?
What is the National Living Wage?
The National Living Wage is the government’s set minimum rate which employers can pay staff aged 23 and over for each hour worked.
From Thursday, April 1 2021, it is set to rise 19p from its current rate of £8.72 an hour to £8.91.
This means employees will receive 2.2% more in their pay packets and now it has kicked in, the wage boost will also now apply to those aged 23 and 24 having previously only been for those over 25.
You don’t have to do anything to receive this rise, it should be automatic.
The boost equates to £345 extra per year for someone working full-time and will benefit around two million of the UK’s lowest paid workers.
It was first introduced by Tony Blair in 1999 and was originally called the National Minimum Wage.
What is the National Minimum Wage?
The National Minimum Wage is the minimum pay per hour almost all workers are entitled to.
Those aged over 23 from today are entitled get the National Minimum Wage.
The current minimum wage rates as of April 1 are:
- Ages 23 and over (The National Living Wage): £8.91
- Ages 21-22: £8.36
- Ages 18-20: £6.56
- Under-18: £4.62
- Apprentices: £4.30
You can check if you are being paid the correct minimum wage on the goverment website.
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