News / Trades Union Congress
‘Britain is indebted to its army of minimum wage heroes’
The best way to show respect to Britain’s heroic workers is to raise minimum pay to a real living wage, say trade union bosses.
New minimum wage rates come into force across the country from Wednesday, April 1, taking the hourly amount for staff aged 25 and above up from £8.21 to £8.72, and from £6.15 to £6.45 for the 18-20 age bracket.
Commenting on the changes, Trades Union Congress regional secretary for the South West Nigel Costley said: “Britain is indebted to its army of minimum wage heroes. Many – including care workers, supermarket staff, and delivery drivers – are currently on the frontline of the battle against coronavirus. They deserve every penny of this increase, and more.
“Before the pandemic, millions of workers were already struggling to make ends meet. And now in this crisis, we’re sure even more will face financial hardship.
“The best way to show our respect to our heroic workers is to get the minimum wage up to a real living wage as soon as possible.”
For 16-year-olds above school leaving age and 17-year-olds, the minimum wage rate has gone from £4.35 per hour to £4.55, while for apprentices below the age of 18 and those in their first year of training, the minimum wage increases from £3.90 per hour to £4.15.
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