Commenting on the government announcement that the national minimum wage is to rise to £10.85 for 18 to 20-year-olds and the national living wage increase to £12.71 for workers over 21 from April, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“Giving low-paid workers a significant rise means their money will go further come the spring.
“Making household budgets stretch further to cover the rising cost of the weekly shop and essential bills is a constant worry for thousands of families across the UK.
“Many of those whose pay is going up again in April work in our essential services. They’ll spend the extra cash on goods and services where they live, which helps grow local economies.
“Granting a bigger wage increase to younger workers signals the move towards there being just one minimum rate, regardless of age. That moment can’t come soon enough.
“In April, some NHS staff and other public service workers at the bottom of the pay scale will no doubt fall below the legal minimum wage. This will give employers multiple headaches.
“Essential services can’t keep and attract the staff they need to deliver for the public if their lowest paid jobs are always playing catch up. Competitive wages across the public sector are a must.”
Note to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Dan Ashley M: 07508 080349 E: d.ashley@unison.co.uk
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