From 1st April, families in Crawley will receive a well-earned pay rise. The National Living Wage (NLW) will be going up to £8.72 per hour, its biggest cash increase ever, and a rise from the current value of £8.21.
Nationally, nearly 3 million people will benefit from a pay rise of 6.2 per cent; an increase of £930 over the year for a full-time worker on the NLW, and of £3,600 since its introduction in 2016.
The rise means that the Government is on track to meet its current target for the NLW to reach 60 per cent of median earnings by 2020.
There is, of course, more to do to level up and tackle the cost of living, which is why the Chancellor pledged to increase the NLW towards a new target of two thirds of median earnings by 2024. On current forecasts this would reach around £10.50 per hour.
The reach of the National Living Wage will also be widened. Within five years, it is to be expanded so it also includes workers aged 21 and over, in a move expected to benefit around 4 million people.
There are a whole range of other measures to help tackle the cost of living. The triple tax lock will mean that: the rate of income tax, VAT or National Insurance will not be raised during this parliament; the National Insurance threshold will be released to £9,500 next year meaning people will save around £100; and the establishing of a £1 billion Flexible Childcare Fund will help hard-working parents manage their work and family commitments.
Crawley deserves a pay rise and I am supporting this Conservative Government that is delivering the higher-wage, lower-tax economy we all want to see.
The Chancellor’s first Budget will take place in March, and will set out plans to unleash Britain’s potential.
This will include tackling the cost of living, delivering world-class public services and investing in green infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions.
Henry Smith MP