Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

NMW to increase again next year to £12.21 ph.

810 replies

ZoeZee · 29/10/2024 19:51

If you’ve not had a pay rise this year, despite bringing it up to your employer, and now there’s set to be another 6% NMW increase next year (which is fantastic, don’t get me wrong) the pay gap is narrowing ever more between skilled/unskilled employees.

Skilled and those with MANY years of experience, might as ditch their responsible/stressful jobs (which often keep you awake at night) and look for something that doesn’t have the added responsibility?

Almost 20 years experience means nothing to some employers! AIBU?

Any employers who have a view on this increase, please let me know how this might affect you and your staff.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Scutterbug · 29/10/2024 20:41

I agree with increasing NMW but it means that unskilled workers in the pub my husband is head chef in, will be close to his wage. After him having years of experience and training.

unpackthat · 29/10/2024 20:41

There is a massive devaluing on trades I think. Industries where there are minimum wage staff are having to put everyone's wages up. I think industries where workers aren't minimum wage then they aren't getting the same yearly increases so they are devalued in comparison. A care job with a council / pension/ holidays t&cs starts to look more attractive.

I'm quite old now. Worked in various sectors from min wage to managerial. All jobs have their pros and cons. Some have awful elements of whether high paid or low paid. Some industries are better than others. I wouldn't work in a kitchen again for example but I would waitress if I had to.

Many people lack capacity for certain jobs whether physically, intellectually or socially. We're not all capable of doing every job.

HairyPie · 29/10/2024 20:40

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Skybluecoat · 29/10/2024 20:40

ExtraOnions · 29/10/2024 20:12

If you can’t afford to pay your staff £12ph, you shouldn’t have a business.

Absolutely

BibbityBobbityToo · 29/10/2024 20:40

I don't grudge anyone on NMW getting an increase but unless the people above get a similar increase, we'll have a gap of people being willing to take on more stressful jobs for very little reward.

Packing boxes in a factory or, for an extra £50 work your butt off as a hospital cleaner, no thanks.

anxioussister · 29/10/2024 20:39

Hedjwitch · 29/10/2024 19:54

Some employers will not be able to pay this if they have a lot of staff at this salary point. ( I work with many employers and have heard this being discussed). Some people may end up being paid off.

There needs to be a market readjustment - if businesses can’t afford to pay their workers enough to live - and require those workers to be topped up at the tax payers expense with UC - then they shouldn’t be operating in this market. They must fail. And be replaced with more functional, efficient organisations that can.

Recognise there would need to be a dramatic market shake down for this to happen but I like to hope!

buffyspikefaith · 29/10/2024 20:39

I think the idea is you can ask for a raise though
In a job that pays min wage, for example my job, we are all paid the same. You can't ask for a pay rise. Well you could but there's no point as we all get the same regardless of experience

The only reason we ever get an increase is when min wage goes up

ExitViaGiftShop · 29/10/2024 20:39

I hope you get your raise OP! If not, vote with your feet!!

TheHateIsNotGood · 29/10/2024 20:39

Where on earth do you work OP that you don't even get SSP? And fo many people a period of 6 months sickness means they're unemployed, not on anyone's payroll,

Autumn1990 · 29/10/2024 20:38

I do agree with it going up but it will cause problems. The was a home care business owner on the radio the other day who said they have a volume business and only make 60p profit per hour on the care they supply.
NMW has probably gone up to remove people from being eligible for UC or only able to claim less and to increase tax revenues as tax bands aren’t changing

ExitViaGiftShop · 29/10/2024 20:38

The govt needs to put a stop to people being subsided by state benefits because companies do not pay their workers enough! employers, especially the large businesses, need to pay their staff properly! They need to take the hit, not the tax payer!

cakeorwine · 29/10/2024 20:38

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

I could have sworn the minimum wage has been increasing massively under the Tories as well.

National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates - GOV.UK

In April 2018, it was £7.83 an hour
In April 2024, it was £11.44 an hour

National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates

The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates: age, apprentices, previous years.

https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates

Original poster
ZoeZee · 29/10/2024 20:37

ExitViaGiftShop · 29/10/2024 20:35

I see what you're saying but then it's up to the worker to ask for a raise or move on.

Show quote history

I have and I will!

OP posts:
Original poster
ZoeZee · 29/10/2024 20:36

ExitViaGiftShop · 29/10/2024 20:33

OP - ok so you have taken it up with them, but you've been ignored? Is that correct? 20 years service and you don't feel appreciated? Then, leave?

Yes, that’s the plan, thanks.

Think I’m not alone in feeling like this though!

OP posts:
ExitViaGiftShop · 29/10/2024 20:35

Wellingtonspie · 29/10/2024 20:30

People have totally misread you op.

Ops issues isn’t with people getting a pay rise.

It’s that it doesn’t travel up. Is minimum wage goes up by say £2 but everyone else doesn’t also go up by £2 an hour then you have devalued the other jobs.

I see what you're saying but then it's up to the worker to ask for a raise or move on.

Thevelvelletes · 29/10/2024 20:35

ZoeZee · 29/10/2024 20:32

No SSP where I work! No 6 months off sick for illness etc! Off you trot!

Show quote history

Go work for ASDA it'll be a home from home for you.

BIossomtoes · 29/10/2024 20:35

Carpr · 29/10/2024 20:01

I think we can expect to see more do it yourself in retail,

I doubt it. It’s costing a fortune in shoplifting and a lot of customers hate it and will vote with their feet.

Original poster
ZoeZee · 29/10/2024 20:34

Wellingtonspie · 29/10/2024 20:30

People have totally misread you op.

Ops issues isn’t with people getting a pay rise.

It’s that it doesn’t travel up. Is minimum wage goes up by say £2 but everyone else doesn’t also go up by £2 an hour then you have devalued the other jobs.

Thank you @Wellingtonspie thank you!

People are so ready to stick the boot in aren’t they!

OP posts:
TheHateIsNotGood · 29/10/2024 20:34

OMG - some of the reactions on this thread are really funny. Just waiting for "but what about the children" or some other daft extrapolation. We've got a Labour Govt - klaxon call - they put the low-paid worker first. Good for them. It's about time we rejuvenated the Doctor/Dustperson debate. Too many unproductive jobs are merely involved in swirling the money around; and really not as important as taking our crap away nor as worthy as a doctor either. Public sector workers, being akin to Nationalized industries are always protected so most of you just need to calm down.

Chocolateteabag · 29/10/2024 20:34

I think this is going to just add another nail in the coffin for small businesses - costs rising in all areas - and all the incentives for risking your investment (of time, effort, money) to start the business in the first place (or buy it:into it) are being taken away

It's getting like what really is the point

Other than "it's for the greater good"

Public sector jobs are going to be in high demand soon!

buffyspikefaith · 29/10/2024 20:34

TBF there was exactly the same threads as this last year and the year before when it went up. It's as predictable as the increase!

HairyPie · 29/10/2024 20:33

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Thevelvelletes · 29/10/2024 20:33

Aspertions..not aspirations.

ExitViaGiftShop · 29/10/2024 20:33

OP - ok so you have taken it up with them, but you've been ignored? Is that correct? 20 years service and you don't feel appreciated? Then, leave?

Original poster
ZoeZee · 29/10/2024 20:32

TheHateIsNotGood · 29/10/2024 20:20

For those thinking that they are so qualified and experienced that they may as well get an NMW job as it will be sooooo much easier - off you trot then. Get used to SSP, etc and the barest minimum of many of the T&Cs you currently enjoy. And, of course, people like the OP thinking they're just that little bit better than you.

No SSP where I work! No 6 months off sick for illness etc! Off you trot!

OP posts: