Sainsbury's has announced pay rises from March as supermarkets continue their battle to retain workers. It will increase minimum pay for employees outside London to £12 an hour, with wages for staff in the capital increasing to £13.15 an hour. The increase means all of its workers will be paid the voluntary Real Living Wage, which is higher than the compulsory National Living Wage. About 120,000 staff will benefit from the increase, Sainsbury's said. Sainsbury's workers outside London are currently paid £11 an hour, while those in London receive £11.95 an hour. With the National Living Wage, often referred to as the minimum wage, set to rise to £11.44 an hour in April 2024 - and for the first time including 21 and 22-year-olds - Sainsbury's decision will mean its workers earn 56p more per hour than the government minimum wage. Simon Roberts, the chief executive of Sainsbury's, said: "Our colleagues do a brilliant job delivering for our customers every day and at the same time they are continuing to face the rising costs of living." Since March last year, Aldi has paid its staff £11.40 an hour outside London and £12.85 inside the capital, while Britain's biggest grocer Tesco has been paying workers £11.02 an hour outside London since April and £11.95 in the capital.
