Burnley’s Antony Higginbotham MP has welcomed an increase to the National Living Wage for 320,000 people across the North West, thanks to the Conservative Government’s Autumn Statement for Growth.
The Conservative Government is delivering on its commitment to end low hourly pay for full-time workers on the National Living Wage (NLW).
From 1 April 2024, the NLW will increase by 9.8 per cent to £11.44 an hour, meaning that 320,000 people across the North West will see their wages increase.
This represents an increase of over £1,800 to the annual earnings of a full-time worker on the NLW and is expected to benefit around 2.7 million low paid workers.
Eligibility for the NLW will also be extended by reducing the age threshold to 21-year-olds for the first time. A 21-year-old currently on the National Minimum Wage will receive a 12.4 per cent increase, from £10.18 this year to £11.44 next year, worth almost £2,300 a year for a full-time worker.
Since 2010, the minimum wage rate will have risen by £5.64. Young people and apprentices on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) will also see a boost to their wages.
Earlier this month it was also announced the proportion of workers on low pay has halved since 2010, thanks to the National Living Wage.
The boosted National Living Wage is just one of the measures announced at the Autumn Statement for Growth to reward hard work. The Conservative Government are also cutting National Insurance Contributions for 29 million people and reforming the welfare system to toughen up work requirements, ensuring those in the welfare system are incentivised to work.
Commenting, Antony Higginbotham MP said:
With inflation halved, and falling, it is this Conservative Government that is taking the long-term decisions to ensure hard work always pays – something I have consistently raised in Parliament, and with Minister’s in private.
That is why I am delighted the Autumn Statement for Growth boosts the National Living Wage, to over £11 an hour, for 320,000 people across the Nother West.
This is not just numbers in an announcement but a real cash boost to millions across the country, including thousands across Burnley and Padiham. A boosted National Living Wage will continue to drive down low pay and ensure hard work always pays under the Conservatives.
Commenting, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt MP said:
With inflation falling, and global economic conditions stabilising, we are now able to turn our attention to the long-term decisions required to strengthen our economy and build a brighter future.
Our Autumn Statement for Growth takes those long-term decisions to reduce debt, cut tax, reward hard work and back British business right across the country.
By doing so we are making huge progress in tackling the long-term economic challenges facing the UK so we can build a more dynamic economy that delivers prosperity across our United Kingdom.
