HMRC has issued a warning to millions of workers to check their payslips now.
On April 1, the National Living Wage, which impacts employees aged 23 or over, was hiked by nearly 10% from £9.50 to £10.42 an hour.
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The move meant a payday rise for more than 2.5million Brits worth £1,600 a year.
The National Minimum Wage, for workers aged under 23, was also upped by around 10%.
That has seen 21 to 22-year-olds’ hourly rate boosted to £10.18, 18 to 20-year-olds’ to £7.49 and under 18s and apprentices’ to £5.28.
While the change came into effect from April 1, many workers will only just be seeing the pay rise in their May pay packets.
But you might be in a situation where your employer hasn’t reflected the increase in your wages.
It is illegal for companies to pay their workers under the minimum wage.
HMRC is now urging people to check their payslips to ensure they’re getting the right hourly salary.
The Government department recently tweeted: “Is your employer paying you the correct National Living or Minimum Wage rate?
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“Make sure you get the wages you’re entitled to. You’ve earned it, make sure you’re getting it.
“Check that you’ve been paid the correct amount by your employer.”
What are the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage?
The National Living Wage is the Government’s minimum rate employers must pay workers aged 23 or over for each hour worked.
It was previously known as the National Minimum Wage before it was rebranded the National Living Wage by the Government.
The National Living Wage is currently £10.42 for workers aged 23 and over.
Meanwhile, the National Minimum Wage is for those 23 or younger, but the rates are different depending on how old you are.
If you are 21 or 22, the minimum you should be paid is £10.18, while if you are 18 to 20 this figure is £7.49.
If you are under 18 or classed as an apprentice, the minimum amount you should be paid is £5.28.
How can I get money back if I’ve been underpaid?
If you check your payslip and think you have been underpaid, your first port of call should be your employer.
It will definitely be worth taking evidence to your bosses to prove you’ve been underpaid.
You can make a formal complaint about your company via the HR department too.
If this doesn’t work, you can contact HMRC anonymously via its website, or call the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100 for free and confidential advice.
If you go to HMRC for help, it will launch an investigation and take action if it finds your employer has not paid the correct minimum wage.
If it finds your company has underpaid you, it can make your bosses repay you the amount that’s missing, backdated by six years at the current minimum wage rate.
Backpay is any pay you might have missed out on when your hourly salary was wrongly-calculated.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
