Up to 170,000 workers in Northern Ireland will today (Tuesday 1
April) receive a pay rise as the new National Living Wage and
National Minimum Wage rates take effect.
Full-time workers on the National Living Wage will see a
real-terms pay increase of £1,400 per year, helping to provide
families with better financial stability, improve living
standards and kickstart growth as part of the Plan for Change.
This uplift will deliver security for working people and ease the
pressure on their day-to-day finances. It also allows for further
workers to potentially benefit from positive spill-over impacts
including possible wage increases for those already earning more
than the legal minimum.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, , said:
Today's increase to the National Minimum and Living Wages will
put more money in the pockets of up to 170,000 working people
right across Northern Ireland.
This increase in incomes will help growth as part of our Plan for
Change, boost living standards and provide more financial
security.
Business Secretary said:
We promised to make low pay a thing of the past. Now, as part of
our Plan to Make Work Pay and the biggest upgrade to workers'
rights in a generation, we are delivering that.
Low pay is not only bad for workers, it prevents them from
spending on our high streets and allowing local businesses to
achieve their full potential.
By ensuring that everyone gets a fair wage for the hours they
work, we're delivering the financial stability needed to
kick-start economic growth and ensure our country is fit for the
future.
Employment Rights Minister said:
Hard work deserves to be rewarded and this Government's Plan to
Make Work Pay is making that a reality.
We're raising the floor for workers from the North Coast to
Newry, putting more money into their pockets and delivering the
increased living standards needed to kickstart economic growth
across Northern Ireland.
The full increases from 1 April 2025 are:
- National Living Wage (21+) has increased 6.7%, from £11.44 to
£12.21 per hour
- National Minimum Wage (18-20) has a record increase of 16.2%,
from £8.60 to £10 per hour
- National Minimum Wage (under 18) has increased 18%, to £7.55
per hour
- Apprentice Rate has the largest increase of 18%, from £6.40
to £7.55 per hour
- Accommodation Offset of £10.66 per day
This UK Government is unashamedly pro-worker which is why this
year is the first where the Low Pay Commission, the body which
recommends wage rates, was instructed to include the cost of
living and inflation in its assessment.
On top of this the Employment Rights Bill, a key pillar in the
Plan to Make Work Pay, will release an additional £600 a year to
some of the lowest paid workers. This will ensure that these
workers receive an uplift to wages that delivers better quality
of life.
Workers in Northern Ireland have earned this pay rise and they
need to make sure they get it. Visit gov.uk/checkyourpay to
check if you are eligible.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The Accommodation Offset is the maximum daily amount which an
employer can charge without it amounting to a reduction of pay
for National Minimum Wage purposes.
- Workers and employers in Northern Ireland can contact the
Labour Relations Agency helpline on 03300 555 300 (Monday to
Friday, 9am to 5pm) or their website: www.lra.org.uk.
- The apprenticeship rate, and for 16- to 17-year-olds rises
from £6.40 per hour to £7.55 per hour.
- The UK government will be running a campaign from the 1st of
April aimed at workers and businesses to remind them about the
changes. Workers are being encouraged to check their pay, to
ensure they aren't underpaid. Employers are reminded to update
their payroll.
- Workers should check their pay and have a conversation with
their employer if they don't see a pay increase to ensure they
receive the correct rate. They can also speak to Acas for further
advice if required.
