Over one million workers will now be able to top up their wages, government announces

New government plans will allow Britain’s lowest-paid workers to boost their income through extra work.

The proposals unveiled on Monday (May 9) will widen the ban on exclusivity clauses, which restrict staff from working for multiple employers, to contracts where the guaranteed weekly income is on or below the Lower Earnings Limit of £123 a week.

It's currently estimated that 1.5 million workers are earning on or below £123 a week. These new reforms will reportedly ensure that workers in this group that have exclusivity clauses are able to top up their income with extra work should they choose to pursue it.

READ MORE: Changes to National Minimum Wage

The government says the reforms will give workers more flexibility over when and where they work to best suit their personal circumstances such as childcare or study. This will include the option of working multiple short-hour contracts.

As well as supporting workers to increase their income, the reforms will allegedly benefit businesses by widening the talent pool of potential job applicants to those who may have been prevented from applying in the past due to an exclusivity clause with another employer.

The government says it hopes low-paid workers will be able to make the most of new opportunities in existing sectors with growing labour demand. The news comes after the government previously announced measures to help those struggling with the rising cost of living crisis, including increasing the National Living Wage to £9.50 per hour.

Business Minister Paul Scully said: "We are creating a high skilled, high productivity labour market that supports workers by removing unnecessary red tape, helping the British people boost their incomes and keep more of what they earn.