Up to 220,000 Scottish workers set for pay rise - what you need to know
Up to 220,000 Scottish workers are set for a pay rise.
The new National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates come into effect on April 1, 2025.
This change is expected to put more money in the pockets of Scotland's lowest-paid workers.
Read more: Glasgow sports clubs are set to benefit from a £450,000 investment
Eligible full-time workers on the National Living Wage will see a real-terms pay increase of £1,400 per year.
This is part of the Plan for Change, which aims to provide families with better financial stability, improve living standards and kickstart growth.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: "We promised to make low pay a thing of the past.
"Now, as part of our Plan to Make Work Pay and the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation, we are delivering that.
'Low pay is not only bad for workers, it prevents them from spending on our high streets and allowing local businesses to achieve their full potential.
'By ensuring that everyone gets a fair wage for the hours they work, we're delivering the financial stability needed to kick-start economic growth and ensure our country is fit for the future.'
Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders added: "Hard work deserves to be rewarded and this Government's Plan to Make Work Pay is making that a reality.
'We're raising the floor for workers from Hawick to the Highlands, putting more money into their pockets and delivering the increased living standards needed to kickstart economic growth across Scotland.'
The new rates from April 1, 2025, are as follows: the National Living Wage (21+) has increased by 6.7 per cent, from £11.44 to £12.21 per hour; the National Minimum Wage (18-20) has a record increase of 16.2 per cent, from £8.60 to £10 per hour; the National Minimum Wage (under 18) has increased by 18 per cent, to £7.55 per hour; and the Apprentice Rate has the largest increase of 18 per cent, from £6.40 to £7.55 per hour.
The Accommodation Offset is now £10.66 per day.
Read more: More acts have been announced for Glasgow's 850th anniversary showcase
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: "This well-deserved pay rise for up to 220,000 Scots is a landmark moment in the UK Government's Plan for Change.
"It will boost economic growth and put more money in people's pockets - we will always ensure that working people benefit.
"We are taking comprehensive action to deliver the biggest improvements to workers' rights in a generation, where jobs will not only be better paid, but more secure and with employees having stronger rights.
"We will continue to do whatever is necessary to help more people into work - while always supporting those who cannot - as we secure Britain's future and a decade of renewal for households the length and breadth of Scotland."
The Employment Rights Bill, a key pillar in the Plan to Make Work Pay, will release an additional £600 a year to some of the lowest-paid workers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
LGBT veterans will not lose other benefits after compensation
Veterans due to receive payments from the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme will not lose out on other benefits after a change to legislation. The Scottish government has confirmed that 1,200 armed forces members who suffered under the ban on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) personnel have now applied to the UK government's payment scheme. The ban was in place within the UK military from 1967 to 2000 and, after years of campaigning, the UK government announced the payments last December. Up to £75m has been set aside to acknowledge hurt and discrimination, with affected veterans able to receive awards of up to £70,000 each. Some veterans currently receive financial help, on a means-tested basis, through the council tax reduction scheme. But Finance Secretary Shona Robison said regulations would be now changed to ensure any compensation payments do not affect eligibility for this. Ms Robison said: "As we mark 25 years since the lifting of the ban on LGBT people serving in the armed forces, it is important to recognise the hardship that so many faced, with widespread homophobic bullying and harassment. "Nothing will make up for the difficulties that LGBT veterans faced, however, our action will ensure those in Scotland receive every penny that they are entitled to." Under the UK government scheme, those who were dismissed or discharged from the armed forces because of their sexual orientation or gender identity could receive £50,000. Former service personnel who suffered harassment, intrusive investigations or even imprisonment could receive further payments of up to £20,000. Peter Gibson, chief executive of Fighting with Pride, said the group had "campaigned for justice for LGBTQ+ veterans for many years, helping to secure reparations and financial recognition of their horrendous treatment prior to 2000". He added: "As we slowly see the UK government deal with those financial payments, protected from benefit and taxation impact, it is wonderful to see the Scottish government taking action to ensure other benefits such as council tax benefit is also protected too. "We continue to seek out veterans who were discharged or dismissed from the military to support them, and this news is one more step towards helping those in Scotland." Arrested at Edinburgh Castle for being gay in the Army Gay ban veterans to get up to £70K in compensation 'My partner hid and secretly waved off my ship': LGBT veteran monument revealed
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
The Herald's Unspun Live heads to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
The future of Scotland will take centre stage at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, as The Herald's flagship politics podcast hosts a series of live conversations with the country's political leaders. The new show — Unspun Live at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe — runs from 4–7 August at Summerhall's Dissection Room, featuring a different high-profile guest each evening. Across four nights, audiences will hear from First Minister John Swinney, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, and Britain's leading polling expert, Professor Sir John Curtice. Tickets are available now — click here to book your place at Unspun Live. These discussions will move beyond the usual political talking points, exploring the personal motivations, challenges and life experiences that shape Scotland's most influential figures. Professor Sir John Curtice and guestsThe series opens on 4 August with Professor Sir John Curtice, who will be joined by special guests to take the political temperature of the nation and analyse the trends influencing the next Holyrood election. Click here to buy tickets to Unspun Live with John Curtice and guests John Swinney (Image: Gordon Terris) On 5 August, John Swinney will make a rare festival appearance. He will be interviewed by The Herald's Brian Taylor — the legendary former political editor of BBC Scotland, who has been covering the First Minister for more than 25 years. The SNP leader will reflect on his first year leading the Scottish Government, the challenges facing his party and the country, and share a personal perspective on leadership and life in high office. Click here to buy tickets for Unspun Live with John Swinney Anas Sarwar reading The Herald (Image: Gordon Terris) On 6 August, attention turns to the opposition. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will discuss one of the most dramatic years in his party's recent history. Buoyed by a strong performance at Thursday's by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, his appearance comes at a pivotal moment in his campaign to lead the next Scottish Government. Click here to buy tickets for Unspun Live with Anas Sarwar Kate Forbes speaking to The Herald (Image: Colin Mearns) Closing the series on 7 August is Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes. A former SNP leadership contender and key figure in the Cabinet, she will offer insights into the Government's economic priorities — and reflect on her political journey to date. Click here to buy tickets for Unspun Live with Kate Forbes Each Unspun Live session will be hosted by journalists and columnists from The Herald. The events will combine political analysis with personal storytelling, offering audiences a rare chance to engage with both the public views and private reflections of Scotland's leading politicians. Audience members will also be invited to put their questions directly to the guests, ensuring a two-way conversation about Scotland's political direction — and the people behind the headlines. Catherine Salmond, Editor of The Herald, said: 'We are delighted to bring the world's longest-running national newspaper into the heart of the world's largest arts festival. 'As Scotland faces a pivotal election in 2026, there is real value in having these conversations live on stage — where our readers and the wider public can engage directly with the people shaping our country's future. 'For those with a serious interest in Scottish politics, The Herald remains an essential read, combining authoritative coverage with unparalleled access to the key players and issues that matter. 'It is all part of our commitment to fostering understanding and informed debate — ensuring Scots have access to the insight they need, whether in our pages or face to face.' Click here to book your tickets now via the Summerhall box office.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Loft Lines raided as part of immigration enforcement
The Home Office has arrested almost 150 people during immigration enforcement raids at workplaces across Northern Ireland since July 2024, new figures reveal. BBC News NI understands 36 people were arrested at the Loft Lines complex in the Titanic Quarter in Belfast. The Graham Group is one of the main building contractors on the site. It is understood that those arrested did not work for the company. BBC News NI put a number of questions to the Graham Group about the raid but a spokesperson said they would not be issuing any response. Figures released by the Home Office show that between 5 July 2024 and 31 May 2025, 113 visits resulted in 148 arrests. This marked a 48% rise compared to the year before. The department said it was part of "a drive to combat illegal working" with a particular focus on tackling employers facilitating illegal working, often subjecting migrants to squalid conditions and illegal working hours below minimum wage. Restaurants, nail bars and construction sites have been among the thousands of businesses targeted. Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said the government was "committed to tackling illegal working as we intensify our enforcement efforts to disrupt organised immigration networks at every level". "There must be no hiding place from the law and these figures demonstrate our determination to curb immigration offending and disrupt unscrupulous employers," she added. "Under our Plan for Change, we are laser focused on fixing our immigration system and securing our borders once and for all." BBC News NI understands that a major co-ordinated operation reported in March, took place at the Loft Lines development. Offences ranged from breaching visa conditions to illegal entry in the UK with no permission to work. Loft Lines is a three-block apartment development located at Queen's Island in the docks area of the city, on land which used to form part of the Harland and Wolff shipyard. The majority of the 778 apartments will be privately owned and rented out to tenants, but up to 20% of the properties will be constructed as social, affordable homes. The lead developers of the site are Lacuna Developments and Watkin Jones Group PLC, while Graham Group are leading on construction. Watkin Jones PLC declined to comment. Lacuna Developments have been approached for comment by BBC News NI. The development has previously been criticised for blocking the view of Belfast's Titanic museum as the apartments are being built in front of it. BBC News NI understands that 30 of the individuals arrested elected to leave the UK voluntarily. Five have been placed on immigration bail and are now required to report regularly to the Home Office. A 16-year-old boy was also being supported by local authorities. The individual arrested on suspicion of immigration offences has been bailed pending further investigation. Fears towers will block Titanic Belfast Home Office arrest 36 in Titanic Quarter construction site 'swoop' Funding for Belfast build-to-rent scheme agreed
