Primark has said it is increasing hourly pay for its 27,000 UK-based shop workers by an average of 9.1 per cent.

From the start of April, the budget retailer's employees will see their hourly rate hiked to £12 an hour, while those based in London will receive £12.56.

Primark currently employees more than 30,000 people and operates 192 stores across the UK.

The company said the move means that over the past two years staff have seen their pay go up by more than 20 per cent on average.

Kari Rodgers, UK retail director at Primark, said: “Our colleagues do a brilliant job every day serving our customers and we want everyone to be fairly rewarded and recognised for their hard work. We hope this pay increase goes some way towards demonstrating our continued thanks for all that they do in our stores and for our customers.”

The move comes after Primark announced earlier this year that it plans to invest over £100 million in its UK stores in 2024.

As part of the investment, the fast-fashion retailer is opening new stores in Bury St. Edmunds, Teeside Park, and Glasgow Fort later in the year.

It is also planning some of its “biggest ever” store extensions across the country, including at London’s Westfield Stratford store where it will almost double in size, making it the second largest Primark in the capital.

The latest store openings and expansions will see Primark reach 195 stores in the UK by the end of the year, creating almost 700 new jobs.

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