UK: Investigation finds firms split over whether to pay new "national living wage" to workers under 25
Firms will only have to pay the “national living wage” to staff aged 25 or over when it starts in April. Under half of top retailers have so far promised to pay all staff the same rate for the same work, regardless of age. Simon Neville reports on the new pay divide...Some retailers have promised to pay staff the same regardless of age; however, a large number are either refusing or have not made up their minds, with just over four months to go. An investigation by The Independent has found that 16 of the UK’s biggest chains will offer staff under 25 the same rate of pay as those above, but 23 major retailers will save millions by paying younger staff less. [refers to Next, M&S, Aldi, Lidl, Asda (part of Walmart), Sainsbury's Tesco, Currys, PC World, B&Q (part of Kingfisher), Zara (part of Inditex), Topshop (part of Arcadia) and Debenhams, Waitrose, Boots (part of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts), BHS, Primark (part of Associated British Foods), H&M and New Look]