Pay rise for 130,000 workers in Wales as minimum wage increases

Up to 130,000 workers in Wales are set to benefit from a rise in the minimum wage, as the UK Labour Government implements changes that could see eligible full-time employees aged 21 and over earn up to £1,400 more per year.

The national wage increase, due to take effect in April, will see the hourly rate for workers aged 21 and over rise from £11.44 to £12.21.

The change is part of Labour’s wider economic plan, which the Party estimates will benefit more than three million workers across the UK.

For younger workers aged 18 to 20, the hourly rate will increase from £8.60 to £10.00. Labour research suggests that full-time workers in this age bracket could see their annual post-tax income rise by up to £2,000.

In Wales, around 11.1% of workers are expected to benefit from the increase.

The move follows last week’s economic measures announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, which include an Investment Zone in Flintshire and Wrexham that aims to attract £1 billion in investment and create up to 6,000 jobs over the next decade.

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, said:

“We are acting to give millions of lower-paid workers the pay rise they deserve. Labour promised to Make Work Pay and improve living standards in every part of the country, and we are doing exactly that.”

Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, added:

“This is the change people voted for: putting more money in millions of people’s pockets, alongside the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.

“It’s Labour’s Plan for Change in action, and we will go further by kickstarting economic growth, to make everyone across the country better off.”