Minimum wage to increase by 4.1% from April

Millions of people earning the minimum wage are set to get a pay rise next year.

The government has confirmed that from April, the national living wage will increase by 4.1% to £12.71 an hour.

This will apply to full-time workers aged over 21 and works out to a pay increase of £900 a year.

Younger workers will also see pay increase

It’s not just people aged 21 and above who’ll get more money in their pay packet.

The national minimum wage rate for 18 to 20-year-olds will go up by 8.5% to £10.85 an hour.

Meanwhile, workers aged 16 and 17 and those on apprenticeships will see a 6% increase, taking the minimum wage up to £8 an hour.

“I know that the cost of living is still the number one issue for working people and that the economy isn’t working well enough for those on the lowest incomes,” said chancellor Rachel Reeves.

“Too many people are struggling to make ends meet and that has to change.”

Reeves added that the changes will make sure that those on low incomes are “properly rewarded for their hard work”.

How can I check I'm being properly paid? 

You can use the minimum wage calculator to find out if you're being paid the correct national minimum wage or national living wage. 

What can I do if I think I'm being underpaid?

If you believe you’re not being paid the right amount, you can make a complaint.

If you feel comfortable doing so, you may want to speak to the employer in question, to see if the issue can be resolved quickly and amicably.  

If you don’t feel comfortable raising the issue with an employer, you can ring the confidential Acas helpline for help solving a payment dispute.  

You can make a complaint to HMRC. 

Or make a claim to an employment tribunal.