Around 2.5 million UK workers will receive a pay rise as the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage increases today, the 1st of April 2022.

This means a £1,000 per year pay rise for full time workers following the largest ever uplift to the National Living Wage for workers aged 23 and over.

With today's rise, the yearly earnings of a full-time worker on the National Living Wage will have increased by over £5,000 since the introduction of the National Living Wage by the Government in April 2016.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: "We have never been more determined to make work pay, and by providing the biggest cash increase ever to the National Living Wage from today, we are giving a boost to millions of UK workers.

"While no government can control the global factors pushing up the cost of everyday essentials, we will absolutely act wherever we can to mitigate rising costs.

"With more employees on the payroll than ever before, this government will continue to stand up for workers."

Today's uplift will particularly benefit workers in sectors such as retail, hospitality and cleaning and maintenance. Apprentices will also get a large 11.9% increase to their minimum hourly pay, with 21-22 year-olds seeing an immediate 9.8% rise. The National Living Wage, the minimum wage for over 23-year-olds, will now move up to £9.50 an hour.

Last year, the age threshold for the rate moved from age 25 to 23, meaning that more young workers are now eligible for a higher wage.

The new National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates are both statutory minimums, and businesses are encouraged to pay workers above these whenever they can afford to do so.

Recent studies show significant benefits for employers who pay their staff higher wages, which includes higher job retention and staff productivity.

In full, the increases from 1 April 2022 are: With the rates going up from today, workers across the UK are being urged to check they are being paid properly. This can be done by visiting the Check Your Pay site, which also offers advice on what to do if you are being underpaid. The Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: "This historic increase will mean a pay rise for millions of hard-working Brits - with an average full-time worker pocketing an extra £1,000 a year. Will this increase in National Living Wage help you? Do you have any strong opinions on the National Living Wage? Get in touch by clicking the 'Nub It' button on the homepage or emailing [email protected]. Alternatively, find out about more Government and Council initiatives, such as the 2022/23 policing budget and RCC's Parking Policy consultation.