The National Living Wage has increased to £11.44 an hour THIS WEEK as Milton Keynes North MP Ben Everitt welcomed the move to boost pay for the lowest paid workers in Milton Keynes.
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 the NLW increased by 9.8 per cent, meaning that thousands of people across Milton Keynes will see their wages increase in next month’s pay packet.
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 has also been extended by reducing the age threshold to 21-year-olds for the first time and since 2010, the minimum wage rate has risen by £5.64. Young people and apprentices on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) will also see a boost to their wages.
The boosted National Living Wage is just one of the measures that are supporting people on low pay. The Conservative Government has also cut National Insurance Contributions for 29 million people, a £900 annual tax cut for the average worker on £35,400.
Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, said: “With inflation halved, and falling, the Conservative Government is taking the long-term decisions to ensure hard work always pays more than being on benefits and people are rewarded for getting a job.
“That is why I am delighted that the Conservative Government has increased the National Living Wage from this month to £11.44 an hour to support thousands of workers across Milton Keynes.
“The boosted National Living Wage will continue to drive down low pay and ensure hard work always pays under the Conservatives, as we stick to the plan with the economy.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt MP said: “Because we stuck to the plan, the economy has turned a corner – inflation has fallen from 11.1 per cent to 3.4 per cent, wages are rising, mortgage rates are starting to come down and debt is on track to fall as a share of the economy.
“That is why this April we are cutting the double tax on work, putting £900 back in the pockets of the average worker, freezing business rates, boosting pensions, cutting the cost of childcare and delivering a record increase to the National Living Wage.
“By sticking to the plan, the Conservatives will deliver a stronger economy to build a brighter future. Labour cannot say what they would do with the economy because they do not have a plan – they would take us back to square one.”
