Primark announces major change impacting every store in Britain from April 1
The retailer has confirmed the change will be effective in all stores from April
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Primark will be rolling out a major change across all of its stores in Britain from the start of April in a bid to help thousands of people struggling to cope with the cost of living crisis.
From today, Saturday April 1 all of Primark's retail floor workers will be paid more - affecting 26,000 of its retail assistants in Britain.
Stores in England, Wales and Scotland will see the change introduced with some employees being paid more than others.
The average pay rise across the discount clothes retailer will be 12 per cent, which will up pay to £11 for staff.
It is the second pay rise Primark has given staff in the last two years
PA
The pay increase for employees based in London will rise to £11.51 an hour.
Workers should expect to see the increase on their April payslip with the new hourly rates introduced for staff from April 1.
It is the second pay rise Primark has given staff in the last two years with the retailer previously upping wages by 12 per cent last year.
In addition, the retailer will also be scrapping age-related pay rates for those under 23.
This means all Primark retail assistants, no matter their age, will be paid the same wage for the work they do.
Previously, the company paid their staff dependent on their age, which was in line with the Government's rates of pay with National Living Wage being paid to those over 23 years, and minimum wage being paid to those under.
Primark said the wage increase follows the retailer's plan announced last November of investing at least £140million in the UK high street over the next two years.
Proposals include opening four new stores in the UK, which would create 850 news jobs.
Primark is planning to expand the size of some stores in the UK
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The business also plans to relocate its High Wycombe and Bradford stores, and make another even bigger.
While its store in Westfield City Shopping Centre in Stratford, London is set to double in size.
On the Stratford expansion, Kari Rodgers Primark's retail director said: “After setting out an ambitious investment plan a few months ago, it’s exciting that we can now reveal another one of the stores set to benefit.
“We’re looking forward to extending our offering at Westfield and giving shoppers in Stratford even more of the great style and incredible value they love the most.”