Tesco introduces new £13.28 rule across UK supermarkets from Sunday | UK | News
Tesco workers in the UK will receive a pay rise from Sunday. The supermarket giant announced it is investing more than £200 million in wages, with wages for store workers and staff in its online fulfillment centers rising by 5.1% above inflation to £13.28 per hour.
Hourly wages for employees within the M25 will rise to £14.55 as Tesco increases its London location allowance from £1.21 to £1.27 per hour.
Ashwin Prasad, CEO of Tesco UK, said: “Our colleagues play a vital role in delivering service to our customers every day. I’m delighted that we can announce this pay deal, which reflects our deep appreciation for everything they do and represents another meaningful investment in our employees’ pay.”
The changes coincide with new national minimum wage and living wage rates that will come into force from April.
Tesco is Britain’s largest supermarket and the pay rise means its rates will rise above the £12.71 minimum wage for workers over 21.
Rival supermarket giants have already announced wage increases for their workers in recent weeks.
Workers at Sainsbury’s received a 5% pay rise this month, taking the hourly wage to £13.23 per hour nationally and £14.54 per hour in London, while Lidl raised its entry-level wages to £13.45 per hour nationally and £14.80 per hour in London.
Aldi is set to become the highest-paid supermarket among its peers when it raises pay for shop assistants to £13.50 per hour nationally and £14.88 in London from April.
Tesco also announced plans to introduce a new domestic abuse policy towards the end of this year, which will include up to three days of paid leave for workers who experience abuse.
Daniel Adams, national officer of the Usdaw union, welcomed Tesco’s pay rise.
“This deal builds on negotiations over the last few years and not only delivers a real increase in wages, but also widens the gap between Tesco pay rates and the National Living Wage,” he said.
“The association is also particularly pleased that the business has agreed to become the first retailer to commit to providing paid leave to support staff experiencing domestic violence, which can make a huge difference to those affected.”
Tesco said it has also increased the benefits offered to staff over the years, including a competitive rewards package that includes a virtual GP service and a Colleague Clubcard discount of up to 15% on purchases.
