UK Workers Get Pay Boost: National Living Wage Rises

0:00On April 1, millions of UK workers are cashing in on pay rises starting today. The national living wage for folks 21 and older jumped 4.1% to 12 pounds 71 an hour. That's the big one, hitting eligible low earners right now. This all stems from the low pay commissions unanimous advice back in autumn. The government locked it in last November to make sure lower income workers get properly rewarded. The commission mixes bosses unions and experts for fair calls on wages. Full-time workers on this see about 900 pounds extra a year. It spreads the boost across millions, easing the squeeze for those at the bottom. Baroness Philippa Stroud, the commission chair, says it balances economic protection with real gains for the lowest paid. Younger groups get hikes too. 18 to 20 year olds now earn 10 pounds 85 an hour, up 8.5%. For 16 to 17 year olds and apprentices, it's 8 pounds an hour after a 6% rise.

1:00The top-rate threshold dropped to 21 this year from 23. With economic winds shifting, the commission's already collecting fresh input for next recommendations. Low wage earners, time to update those paychecks and stay tuned for what's next.