LOW PAY BOOST

Reeves says 2.7m workers will get wage rises, Chancellor's priority to tackle the cost of living

- LIZZY BUCHAN

BRITAIN'S low-paid workers will get wage rises of up to 8.5% as part of today's hotly anticipated Budget.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves told the Mirror around 2.7 million people will be boosted by increases to the national minimum and living wages.

Tackling the cost of living, driving down NHS waiting lists and slashing government debt and borrowing will be Ms Reeves' top priorities as she sets out her tax and spending plans. She told us: "This Labour government will make sure working people have more money in their pockets.

"That's why we're increasing the national minimum and living wage, so we can build an economy that works for and rewards working people."

From April, the national living wage will rise by 4% to £12.71 per hour for workers over 21, an estimated annual hike of £900 for around 2.4 million of the lowest paid.