Living wage increase

THE national living wage is to increase to £10.42 an hour from next April, giving a pay boost to an estimated two million workers.

The Chancellor said the 9.7% rise for workers aged 23 and over was the biggest ever cash increase for the statutory rate.

Rates will rise by 10.9% to £10.18 for people aged 21-22 and by 9.7% to £7.49 for 18 to 20-year-olds.

Those aged 16 and 17 will see the hourly rate rise by 9.7% to £5.28.