The increase could amount to as much as £2,500 extra annually.
Brits who were set for a pay increase on April 1 are encouraged to check they’re getting the full amount, with help available if you’re being underpaid. More than three million people were due to see their pay rise this month in line with the new minimum wage.
For some full-time employees, the Government said this could equate to around £2,500 extra a year. The National Living Wage, applicable to those aged over 21, saw a 6.7 per cent increase.
Meanwhile, the National Minimum Wage, for those aged between 18 and 20, rose by 16 per cent. Workers under 18 and apprentices experienced the largest wage increase, with their pay rising by 17.9 per cent.
With this in mind, the Government has urged people to contact the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) if they think they’re not being paid enough. GOV.UK says: “Contact Acas if you’re not getting the National Minimum Wage and think you should be.”
It continues: “Acas provides free and confidential advice to employers, employees and their representatives on employment rights, best practice and policies, and resolving workplace conflict. The helpline has a free translation service for over 100 languages.”
Your complaint will be directed to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), if it’s about the National Minimum Wage. You can contact them via acas.org.uk/advice , or call 0300 123 1100 between Monday and Friday.
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You can also use an online calculator to check if you’re getting paid the National Minimum Wage or you’re getting paid the National Living Wage. It can also tell you if your employer owes you past payments from the previous year because of underpayment.
You can access this at gov.uk/am-i-getting-minimum-wage.
How much is minimum wage?
On April 1, the National Living Wage increased from £11.44 an hour to £12.21. Since 2024, this has been applicable to people aged 21 and over.
Previously, the National Living Wage was only for those aged 23 and over. According to the Government, this increase equates to an extra £1,400 a year for a full-time worker.
Younger employees, aged between 16 and 20, receive the National Minimum Wage. There are two different rates for this, depending on age.
For those aged 18, 19 and 20, it rose from £8.60 an hour to £10 next month. This increase is worth £2,500 for an eligible full-time worker.
For 16 and 17 year olds, the National Minimum Wage increased from £6.40 an hour to £7.55. The apprentice rate, applicable to those under 19 or over 19 in their first year of apprenticeship, also rose from £6.40 to £7.55.
In addition to these changes, the Real Living Wage, a higher hourly rate voluntarily paid by some UK businesses to half a million people, increased. Pay rates are determined annually by the government based on the advice of an independent group, the Low Pay Commission.