Chancellor hints National Living Wage could rise to £9.61 next year

It has been reported that the Chancellor, Philip Hammond is considering raising the National Living Wage to 66% of median earnings, the level at which the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development defines as low pay.  

If accepted, this increase would equate to a National Living Wage of £9.61 per hour - an increase of over a pound from the rate expected to come into force in April 2020 of around £8.60 an hour. 

A rate of £9.61 per hour would be the world's highest minimum rate of pay according to the Guardian newspaper.

The National Living Wage is paid to workers aged 25 or over and is currently £8.21 per hour.

A Treasury spokesperson said: “Our ultimate objective is ending low pay, while ensuring that job opportunities are protected. The government has commissioned a review of the latest international evidence on the impact of minimum wages and will announce the independent Low Pay Commission’s remit at the end of this year.

“The chancellor and business secretary will be hosting a round table with a range of business bodies and trade unions to discuss how best to achieve our ambitious aims and improve lives and opportunities for the low paid.””