Sainsbury’s has announced plans to increase the rate of pay for 120,000 employees by more than nine per cent.
The supermarket said it will be investing £200million, its single biggest ever investment into colleague pay, with the increased pay rates taking effect from March.
Hourly paid employees will see their salaries increase from £11 per hour to £12 per hour in March.
Staff working in London, where living costs are typically higher, will be paid £13.15 per hour, up from £11.95.
Sainsbury’s said hourly paid employees will see their salaries increase from £11 per hour to £12 per hour in March
PA
It means tens of thousands of Sainsbury’s workers will be paid 56 pence per hour more than the Government minimum wage, and a month earlier than the official rate for 2024/25 comes into effect.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said it was “great to see Sainsbury’s rewarding hard work” with the nationwide pay rise.
Simon Roberts, the chief executive of Sainsbury’s, said: “Our colleagues do a brilliant job delivering for our customers every day and at the same time they are continuing to face the rising costs of living.
“So, in addition to investing to keep our prices low for customers, I’m delighted to confirm an industry-leading pay increase again this year for all our hourly paid colleagues.”
Sainsbury’s has increased employee pay by 50 per cent since 2018.
The supermarket chain offers workers free food during shifts.
Sainsbury’s offers an increased colleague discount of 15 per cent at Sainsbury’s every Friday and Saturday and 15 per cent at Argos every payday.
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Bally Auluk, USDAW National Officer said: “The continuing strong working relationship between USDAW & Sainsbury’s has resulted in an inflation-busting pay award of over nine per cent despite inflation falling and following on from the significant pay increases over the previous couple of years.
“The current cost of living is still on the rise which is why USDAW are very pleased the business has taken this on board during our consultations and responded in such a positive manner, which includes continuing to offer free food and additional discount.”
From April 1, workers aged 21 and over will be able to get the National Living Wage – which is currently limited to those aged 23 and over.
The rate will rise to £11.44, up from £10.42, while the minimum wage for 21 to 23-year-olds has been £10.18.
The national minimum wage for 18 to 20-year-olds will increase to £8.60, up from £7.49.
The Living Wage Foundation’s voluntary Real Living Wage, which is calculated based on “what people need to live”, has increased to £12 across the UK and £13.15 in London.
