The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, confirmed that the government has accepted in full the proposals of the Low Pay Commission for increasing minimum wage rates from 1 April 2022. This puts the government back on track to reach its minimum wage target of two-thirds of median earnings by 2024.
The new National Living Wage (NLW) rate of £9.50 will come into effect on 1 April 2022, representing an increase of 59p or 6.6%. The NLW is the minimum hourly rate that must be paid to those aged 23 or over. The threshold is expected to be further reduced to 21 by 2024. The increase represents a pay rise of over £1,000 for someone working full-time and earning the NLW.
The hourly rate of the NMW (for 21-22-year-olds) will increase to £9.18 (a rise of 82p or 9.8%). This increase narrows the gap with the NLW and leaves this age group on course to receive the full NLW by 2024.
The rates for 18-20-year-olds will increase to £6.83 (a rise of 27p), and the rate for workers above the school leaving age but under 18 will increase to £4.81 (a rise of 19p). The NMW rate for apprentices will increase by 51p to £4.81.