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Store assistants at Aldi to receive a big pay boost from
today as the retailer becomes among the first to pay at least
£13.02 per hour to all staff.
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Minister visits store to celebrate businesses putting money
back in the pockets of working people in line with the
government's Plan for Change.
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Move builds on existing steps to support around 3 million
working people and their families through April's minimum
wage increases, including record rises for younger
workers.
One of the UK's leading supermarkets has introduced a big pay
boost for its store assistants today as Aldi becomes the first
supermarket to pay staff over £13 per hour.
The move builds on Aldi's status as the only retailer to offer
all workers paid breaks, worth approximately £1,425 per year for
the average store colleague and demonstrates how forward-thinking
businesses are recognising that good pay and strong rights are
key factors in retaining and increasing productivity in their
workforce.
During a visit this morning to Aldi's branch in Watford,
Employment Rights Minister joined workers and
executives in celebrating this latest investment by Aldi, a
decision which demonstrates how businesses can lead the way in
Making Work Pay. The Minister discussed the contribution this,
and other businesses increasing pay, will have on raising living
standards across the country alongside the government's Plan for
Change.
Aldi's new minimum rate of £13.02 nationwide, rising to £14.35
within the M25, and increasing to £14.66 with length of service,
is above the recently uplifted National Living Wage of £12.21 per
hour. This will also be paid to staff regardless of age, a move
in step with the government's ambition to end discriminatory age
bands which allow 18-20 year olds from being paid less than their
older peers, and the Low Pay Commission is to
consult on removing following its new remit.
Employment Rights Minister said:
Paying workers a good wage isn't just the right thing to do; it
creates a strong workplace culture and saves businesses money
through better productivity and staff retention.
Our Plan for Change has already put thousands back in the pockets
of workers through our increases the minimum wage, and it's great
to see businesses like Aldi going above and beyond to deliver
higher pay that truly shows how they value their workforce.
The changes to the National Minimum Wage come as part of the plan
to Make Work Pay, working alongside the Employment Rights Bill to
deliver the biggest uplift to workers' rights in a generation.
15 million, or half of all, workers are set to benefit from new
entitlements such as improved access to flexible working, the end
of exploitative zero hours contracts through a right to
guaranteed hours, and day one rights to sick pay, parental leave
and protection against unfair dismissal.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and
Ireland, said:
Our colleagues are at the heart of our success, and we're
committed to ensuring they are fully rewarded for the outstanding
work they do.
This higher than planned pay rise is part of our promise to never
be beaten on pay.
The Minister's visit underscores the government's commitment to
working with the millions of businesses that recognise the value
of investing in their workforce and supporting employees with
fair pay that reflects the hard work they put in every
day.
NOTES TO EDITORS
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When setting the minimum wage rates, the Low Pay Commission
also factors in costs to businesses and whether rises to the
National Living Wage or National Minimum Wage are
affordable.
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Earlier this year:
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The National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over rose from
£11.44 per hour to £12.21 per hour.
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The National Minimum Wage for 18- to 20-year-olds rose from
£8.60 to £10.00 per hour.
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The apprenticeship rate, and for 16- to 17-year-olds rose
from £6.40 per hour to £7.55 per hour.
