THOUSANDS of young workers in East Lancashire will today be receiving a pay rise.
The 20p an hour pay rise is thanks to an increase in the national minimum wage.
The youth rate, paid to workers aged between 18 and 21, will go up from £3 an hour to £3.20, an increase of 6.7 per cent.
Trade and industry minister Alan Johnson said the higher minimum rate was good news for low paid workers and for business.
"Since we brought in the national minimum wage last year, more and more employers have discovered that decent pay means happy staff and that means happy customers.
"Responsible bosses no longer need to fear being undercut by unscrupulous competitors who pay poverty wages."
Mr Johnson warned that Inland Revenue inspectors would track down any employers who refused to pay the new rates.
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