M&S announced a 10.1 per cent pay increase for around 40,000 store workers.

The supermarket on Tuesday said that the rate of pay for its UK customer assistants would increase from £10.90 to £12.00 per hour from 1 April, representing an increase of around £180 per month for full-time workers. UK team support managers will see their hourly rate increase £12.20 to £13.05.

For Customer Assistants working in London, the hourly rate will increase from £12.05 to £13.15, representing a 9.1 per cent increase on last year, while managers will see their wage increase from £13.35 to £14.20.

The UK government’s national living wage increase will increase by 9.8 per cent to £11.44 per hour from April.

M&S said that the salary increase represents an investment of £89 million.

The supermarket also announced an overhaul to its family leave policies. Also from 1 April, M&S will introduce six week’s paternity leave at full pay (up from two weeks), and up maternity leave to 26 weeks.

Announcing the changes, Stuart Machin, M&S chief executive, said: “Since March 2022, we’ve invested more than £146 million in our retail pay offer and increased our standard hourly rate by more than 26 per cent.

“But creating a great place to work isn’t just about pay; it’s about the overall package and colleagues feeling valued and able to be their best. That’s why, in addition to our pay increase, I’m delighted to announce some significant improvements to our family leave policies to support colleagues through life’s big moments.”

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