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National Minimum Wage rates rise this weekend

National Minimum Wage rates rise this weekend
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The National Living Wage (NLW) increases on Saturday 1 April by 9.7 per cent to £10.42, providing a pay rise workers aged 23 and over across the UK.

21-22 year olds will see their pay increase by 10.9 per cent to £10.18 per hour while pay for younger workers and apprentices will also rise by 9.7 per cent.


These increases follow recommendations made to the government by the Low Pay Commission (LPC) in the autumn. The increase is also expected to boost the real value of the NLW, restoring most of the real value lost since April 2021.

“Despite turbulent economic conditions, the labour market has remained strong and unemployment is low. We remain confident that this increase is unlikely to have a detrimental impact,” Bryan Sanderson, chair of the Low Pay Commission, said.

“Indeed, the high levels of inflation are felt more acutely by those on low pay who spend a higher proportion of their income on energy and food.”

The commission said the NLW increase would mean another ‘significant step’ towards reaching the government’s target of two-thirds of median earnings by 2024.

“We estimate the NLW will need to rise next year to between £10.90 and £11.43 to meet this target. We also remain committed to lowering the NLW age threshold to 21 years of age in 2024,” Sanderson said.

The LPC is now consulting on National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates for April 2024 and beyond and will make its recommendations to the government in October. The consultation will run from 23 March to 9 June 2023.

“In our consultation this year we are also looking beyond 2024, and inviting evidence and views on the future of minimum wage policy once the two-thirds target is achieved. The NMW is a central feature of the UK labour market and workers and employers alike will want to contribute to the debate about its future,” Sanderson said.

The LPC has published a short report which looks ahead at what the new rates will mean, and sets out an updated path of the NLW to its target of two-thirds of median hourly earnings by 2024. The commission’s central estimate of the on-course rate of the NLW for 2024 is £11.16, within a range of £10.90 to £11.43.

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Phil Whitehead has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the EMEA & APAC division of Molson Coors Beverage Company.

Whitehead has been Managing Director of the company’s Western Europe region for the past eight years and prior to this was European Supply Chain Director. He will continue to lead the Western Europe business until a successor is appointed.

Starting in the UK and Ireland business back in 2006, Whitehead has worked his way up the ranks over his tenure with the international brewer. During his time as Western Europe Managing Director, he has led for the continued growth of powerhouse brands like Carling and Coors, as well as the premiumisation and diversification of the company’s portfolio with world beer brands including Staropramen, Cobra and Madri Excepcional. As the brewer expanded beyond the beer aisle, Whitehead oversaw the acquisition of Aspall Cyder in 2019 and a distribution partnership with Rekorderlig Cider in the UK.

Commenting on his appointment, Molson Coors Global President & Chief Executive Officer Gavin Hattersley said: “Throughout his time with our business, Phil has proven himself to be the kind of smart and strategic business leader who is capable of driving successful results for our business. I am confident Phil will put his strong combination of leadership traits to work to the benefit of our EMEA & APAC business, and all of Molson Coors.”

A former Chair of the British Beer and Pub Association and strong advocate for the beer and hospitality industry in the UK, Whitehead said of his new appointment: “It has been an absolute honour to have led our Western Europe business over the past eight years. I have been incredibly fortunate to have worked with a fantastic local team and alongside great customers and peers as part of our wider brewing industry.

“I look forward to taking this next step with a company I am incredibly proud has been my home over the past 18 years, and continuing to work alongside my EMEA & APAC and global colleagues to drive the successful growth of our business.”