As like most previous years the national living wage increases on April 1 […]
As like most previous years the national living wage increases on April 1 […]
As like most previous years the national living wage increases on April 1 2024 from £10.42 to £11.44 and those ages 21 & 22 are now also eligible to receive it as in previous years they fell into a lower rate.
Just under 3 million people will be affected by the rise in national living wage in April 2024 and the Treasury have indicated it will add more than £1800 per annum to all qualifying workers working on a full-time basis.
The increase of £1.02 per hour which is 10% is the single largest increase since the introduction of the National Minimum wage back in 1999 and the first time has seen a increase of over £1. The 10% increase is above the current rate of inflation of 4%
So what is the National Living Wage?
Within the UK there is a legal minimum that you can be paid per hour of work you complete. How much you are entitled to depends on your age and whether you are apprentice or not? Your employer whether a large national business with over 500 employees or a small independent with 2 employees, they has to pay the correct pay rate to you. The size of the business doesn’t matter.
National Living Wage was introduced in 2016 and the idea was for it to reach at least 60% of national median earnings by 2020. Having achieved this the government set a new target of close to 70% of all median earnings by 2024.
According to government data the yearly increases in the national living wage has meant that all full-time workers will be over £9000 per annum better off than you would have been in 2010.
National Living wage replaced the minimum wage back in 2016 and this originally was for all workers over 25. As of April 2024 this drops to the all workers over the age of 21.
| Apprentice Rate | National Minimum Wage | National Minimum Wage | National Minimum Wage | National Living Wage | |
| Apprentice | Under 18 | 18 to 20 | 21 to 22 | 23 and over | |
| April 2024 | £6.40 | £6.40 | £8.60 | £11.44 | £11.44 |
How is the National Living wage increase amount decided?
Each November the independent Low Pay Commission (LPC) produce recommendations on what the figure should increase to, The government then reviews the data then decides on what the minimum rate shall we increased to the following April.
Will the increase make a difference ?
The rise should be welcomed by all workers who will receive the increase as a worker working 40 hours will see an increase of £40.80 so will be putting money in people’s pockets and at a time when the cost of living remains at a high.
It is also good for people who are pension saving aswell as pension pot contributions traditionally are a % of how much someone earns.
Do you think you are not getting the correct pay rate?
If you are unsure or concerned that you are not getting the correct rate then there is ways you can check. You can use the government tool https://www.gov.uk/am-i-getting-minimum-wage/y to check. You can also check if you are owed money from previous years.
At Capital recruitment group we pay everyone the correct payslip, and this is clearly shown on your payslip you receive on a Thursday, before payment early hours Friday.