MP welcomes wage rises for the least well-off
South Shropshire MP Philip Dunne has welcomed the news that workers on the National Living Wage will receive a five per cent pay rise, worth an extra £690 over the course of the year, in the biggest pay rise for low paid workers in 20 years.
The National Living Wage has gone up by the highest rate since it was first introduced in 2016, to £8.21 per hour – giving almost two million of the lowest paid a pay rise. This increase means that a full-time worker receiving the National Living Wage will be more than £2,750 better off over-the-year compared to 2015.
The new tax year which starts this Saturday, April 6, will also see the Personal Allowance increase to £12,500, meaning a typical basic-rate taxpayer will take home £130 more than in 2018-19. Fuel duty has been frozen for the ninth successive year, saving the average driver over £1,000.
Mr Dunne said: “The pay rise is good news for employees in South Shropshire on the National Living Wage, who will earn an extra £690 over the course of the year. Alongside this increase, the new tax year sees the personal allowance increase and fuel duty frozen for the ninth year in a row.
"These measures taken together will really help the lowest paid in South Shropshire with the cost of living, and means more hard cash in the pockets of hard-working people at the end of each month – which is very welcome.”
Around 2.1 million workers are set to benefit.
The National Minimum Wage is also increasing, to £7.70 per hour for 21 to 24-year olds and to £6.15 for 18 to 20-year olds, with workers in the retail and hospitality sectors due to benefit the most.
