Up to 300,000 workers in the South West have started to receive boosted payslips as workers begin to see the benefits of the new National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates taking effect.

The changes will help provide families with better financial stability and living standards, delivering a real terms pay increase of £1,400 per year for eligible full-time workers, supporting the Government's plan to kickstart growth as part of the Plan for Change.

This uplift delivers better financial security for working people and allows for further workers to potentially benefit from positive spill-over impacts including possible wage increases for those already earning more than the legal minimum.

Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders said: "Workers across the country are beginning to receive the much-needed boost to their pay slips, as our Plan for Change is putting more money into their pockets.

"By ensuring a hard day's work is rewarded with a fair day's pay, we're raising living standards for millions of families and ensuring that everyone is a part of this government's mission to deliver economic growth to every part of the UK.

"If you haven't already, check your pay to ensure you aren't missing out on a well-deserved pay rise for work done from April 1."

To ensure workers were fairly compensated, for the first time this Government instructed the Low Pay Commission, the body which recommends the wage rates, to include the cost of living and inflation in its assessment.

On top of this, the Employment Rights Bill, a key pillar in the Plan to Make Work Pay, will release an additional £600 a year to some of the lowest paid workers. This will ensure that these workers receive an uplift to wages that delivers a better quality of life.

Visit gov.uk/checkyourpay to check if you are eligible.