Pay and holidays boost for millions
MILLIONS of workers will receive a pay rise and extra holidays from today because of an increase in the minimum wage and extra annual leave.
The adult rate for the statutory minimum wage will go up from £5.35 to £5.52 and from £4.44 to £4.60 for 18 to 21-year-olds.
The rate for 16 and 17-year-olds will increase from £3.30 to £3.40 an hour.
Annual leave entitlement will increase from 20 to 24 days a year for full-time workers and will increase again to 28 days from April 2009.
Employment Relations Minister, Pat McFadden, said: ‘‘These changes will improve the lives of millions of British workers, giving them more time with their families and ensuring our lowest paid workers continue to be able to earn a living wage.’’
Mr McFadden said up to six million workers will benefit from the extra holidays and just over a million will have a higher wage.
