The government has announced that the national minimum wage will be increased by 20p an hour to £6.70 from October, which will help more than 1.4 million workers and is the biggest real-terms increase in seven years.
As well as adults wages increasing, young workers will also benefit from an hourly increase to £5.30 for 18-20 year olds and £3.87 for 16-17 year olds. In addition, apprentices will also benefit as the hourly increase will go up by 20% (57p) to £3.30 an hour.
Prime Minister David Cameron said the across-the-board increases would offer "more financial security" to workers, and "a better future" for Britain, adding "At the heart of our long-term economic plan for Britain is a simple idea – that those who put in, should get out, that hard work is really rewarded, that the benefits of recovery are truly national.
"That's what today's announcement is all about, saying to hardworking taxpayers, this is a government that is on your side. It will mean more financial security for Britain's families and a better future for our country."
In response to the government’s announcement, the general secretary of the TUC Frances O’Grady said the rate increases go "nowhere near enough to end in-work poverty", and should have been "much bolder”.
