NEW DATA has revealed that hundreds of thousands of workers across the West Midlands are set to receive pay rises in April next year.

255,200 workers will see their pay increase as the UK minimum wage is set to rise.

In her first budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the UK minimum wage will rise from £11.44 to £12.21 per hour as of April 1, 2025 for workers over 21.

Data from the Office for National Statistics which has been analysed by the accountancy firm GoForma, has shown this will impact 16% of the entire county’s full-time workforce who are currently earning less than £12.21 per hour.

11,880 workers in Dudley will see a pay rise, with 12,420 people in neighbouring Sandwell and 13,680 in Wolverhampton also set to be paid the higher rate.

Walsall will see 9,800 workers have their pay increased, with the national minimum wage increasing by 6.7%.

Over 2.6 million full-time workers in the UK will be due a pay rise under the changes.

Taking on the findings, Charlie Bailey, the Co-Founder of GoForma said: “The majority of occupations where salaries fall under the minimum wage are in retail, care, warehousing and transportation.

“These roles often have irregular hours, making it more difficult to keep a record of exactly what your hourly pay is.

“Although the 2025 minimum wage is £12.21 an hour, this is calculated based on each individual paycheque. 

“So, if you work an average of 40 hours per week and are paid monthly then your gross earnings must be at least £1953.60.

“If you are worried about talking to your employer about being paid less than the minimum wage, then bear in mind that victimisation laws prevent an employer from treating an employee less favourably because they have challenged potentially illegal employment practices”.