Karl McCartney, Member of Parliament for the City of Lincoln, has welcomed the launch this month (1 April 2016) of the Conservative Government’s new National Living Wage – giving a big boost to the lowest-paid in Lincoln and across the whole County. This is in addition to the tax cuts announced in last month’s Budget which further rewards hardworking people.
From the start of the month, anyone aged 25 and over and not in the first year of an apprenticeship is legally entitled to being paid at least £7.20 an hour, an extra 50 pence an hour compared to the National Minimum Wage. This is £20 a week pay rise for a full time worker and is only just the start as the National Minimum Wage is set to increase to £9 an hour by 2020.
This welcome news comes after last month’s Budget which saw the continuation of income tax cuts for the low paid and for those on middle incomes by increasing tax thresholds – meaning income tax cuts for 51,575 in the City of Lincoln. It also means that 2,402 low earners will no longer pay income tax at all. This came into effect on 6 April 2016.
Karl McCartney, Lincoln’s Member of Parliament, said: “The hardworking people of Lincoln deserve a tax cut and for those who are low paid, they deserve a pay rise as well. I am veryproud to be part of a Conservative Party that is delivering the higher-wage, lower-tax, lower-welfare economy we all want to see.
“Boosting wages and making sure that more families in Lincoln have the security of a decent, regular pay packet, while ensuring that people are always better off in work is at the heart of our long-term plan.
“We’re backing hard work and aspiration – creating opportunity for everyone across the City – and, with more people employed than ever before, our plan is definitely working.”
Workers and employers can find more information online at www.livingwage.gov.uk.
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