Minimum wage RISE and benefits sanction reform expected in chancellor's conference speech

The minimum wage - known as the National Living Wage - is expected to receive a boost as the chancellor prepares to address the Conservative Party conference in Manchester.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will tomorrow, October 2, speak to the Tory Party conference at Manchester Central Convention Centre. He is anticipated to announce a plan to give a wage boost for two million of the UK’s lowest paid - and promises reform to benefit sanctions.

The chancellor is expected to confirm that the government will accept the Low Pay Commission’s recommendation and increase the National Living Wage from April 2024. Based on latest forecasts, the rate is set to increase to at least £11.00 an hour, and would mean annual earnings of a full-time worker on the National Living Wage will increase by over £1,000 next year.

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Since 1 April 2023, the rates have been:

The apprentice rate applies to people aged under 19, or people over 19 in the first year of their apprenticeship. The minimum wage is the same across all parts of the UK.

The Conservatives say the rise in the minimum wage is the meeting of its 2019 manifesto commitment to raise the wages of the lowest paid to two thirds of median earnings. The government claims it follows 'hard but necessary long-term decisions' which means it is 'now growing the economy and on track to halve inflation this year'.

Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said: “I’ve always made it clear that hard work should pay, and today we’re providing a well-earned pay rise to millions of people across the country.

“This means a full-time worker will