Workers Advised To Make Sure They Are Getting New National Living Wage As Government Survey Reveals Almost A Third Of Staff Never Check Their Payslips

Workers are urged to take simple steps to make sure they receive the Government’s new National Living Wage next month, after research reveals nearly one third of people never check their payslips.

The survey for the Government’s Step Up for Britain campaign finds 32 per cent of the lowest paid employees fail to make this simple check against their earnings.

But workers can take three simple steps to make sure they are eligible and receive the pay increase:

• Visit www.livingwage.gov.uk to check if you are eligible
• Use the website’s online calculator to see how much more you will be paid
• Check your payslip after 1 April; if you don’t receive the extra, speak to your boss or talk to Acas for advice.

When it comes to checking payslips across the UK, those least likely to check were in the North-West and East of England, where 41 per cent of workers failed to do so. Just behind them were those in the West Midlands (40 per cent) and London (37 per cent).

Those most likely to check their payslips were in the North-East, where just 11 per cent never bothered, followed by Wales and the South-West of England (21 per cent), Northern Ireland (24 per cent), Scotland (25 per cent) and Yorkshire and Humber (26 per cent).

The government’s Step Up For Britain campaign was launched in January to highlight the introduction of the National Living Wage on 1 April. More than one million workers are set to directly benefit from the increase, which sees the current National Minimum Wage rate of £6.70 increase by 50p for those aged 25 and over. Many on a full time wage will see pay packets rise by up to £900 a year.

The advertising campaign features a cast of workers currently earning on or around the current National Minimum Wage.

One of those, social services worker Rena Matthew, from West London, who earns £7 per hour, said workers should check their entitlement. She added:

“It’s important to look into it and see if you are eligible. You could be missing out; the extra money can really help. It will be beneficial for individuals and families.”

So far, more than 580,000 people have visited the Step Up for Britain campaign website to find out what the increase will mean for workers and employers.

The government’s survey also revealed that 80 per cent of workers were likely to speak to their employers if they don’t get an increase.

Across the UK, the survey showed those most likely to have a conversation lived in the North-East (90 per cent), followed by the East of England (84 per cent) and the South-East (83 per cent).

Those least likely to do so were in London, where 73 per cent would be likely to have a conversation.

In Scotland, 80 per cent would speak with their boss, 77 per cent in Wales and 79 per cent in Northern Ireland.

Stewart Gee, Head of Information and Guidance at Acas, said:

“Eligible workers should check what they are entitled to under these new changes and employers need to ensure that they are ready too.

“We are running a series of training events over the next few months to help organisations prepare for the new wage rates.”