It’s good news for any workers currently on minimum wage, as of April 1st this year, your wage is going up. Don’t worry, it’s not an April Fools, this has been agreed and will happen.
Former Chancellor Sajid Javid announced that the National Living Wage will be increasing in 2020, but what is it currently? And, more importantly how much is it going up?
What is the National Living Wage?
The National Living Wage is the minimum wage amount that employers legally must pay their workers aged 25 and over in the United Kingdom.
The National Living Wage was originally set up in 1998 by the Labour government, it was initially known as the National Minimum Wage (until rebranded in 2016 for those over 25). Before 1998, there was no official rate which must be met, it was left to Trade Unions to battle for their worker’s rights.
Last year the National Living Wage was increased by 38 pence per hour, which gave the minimum wage limit of £8.21 per hour.
How much is the new increase?
Ok, ok, that’s the boring stuff out of the way and here’s the stuff that really matters! How much your monthly wage will be going up by!
As of 1st April, any individual 25 and over currently on minimum wage will see an increase of 6.2% in their pay packet. They will be going from £8.21 per hour to £8.72, that’s an increase of 51 pence. That’s an addition of over £950 to a yearly salary.
What’s more… It’s not just 25 and overs that will benefit from the new changes. Younger workers will also see a rise from April, with additional changes coming to other age bands.
21-24 year olds will see their £7.70 per hour increase to £8.20
18-20 year olds £6.15 per hour will go up to £6.45
Under 18’s £4.35 per hour is increasing to £4.55
There will also be a raise in Apprenticeship wages, as they will see their wage go from £3.90 to £4.15. This will be the biggest cash boost to the National Living Wage. However, many people will say it’s long overdue – but we’re not going to get into the politics of it, we’ll stick to the facts.
What you should do if you’re not receiving it
If you think you’re not receiving the National Living Wage, do not suffer in silence. You need to speak to your employer directly and raise this issue with them, and if this doesn’t get resolved, you can then take it to the HM Revenue and Customs.
However, if you’re working with Major, you don’t have to worry…. We have it in hand!