The government has laid legislation today for a new National Living Wage of £12.21, and a new National Minimum Wage of £10.00 per hour from April. UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea: “Any rise in hourly rates boosts the take home pay of millions on the lowest wages. And that can only be a good thing. It’s also a welcome step towards making the minimum wage a living wage. "But so long as wages in care stay around the legal minimum, the staffing crisis in that sector won’t ease. “Similarly, if every year the lowest pay bands in the health service need a boost to avoid employers breaking the law when the minimum wage goes up, the NHS will continue to struggle to recruit. “Higher minimum hourly rates across our key public services is essential if they’re to be able to deliver a world-class service to everyone needing their help and support.”
