Employees who work at Aldi branches in Aylesbury and Milton Keynes have been given a pay rise.

The increase of monetary income follows bonuses that were awarded to store colleagues in April and December last year, in recognition of their efforts throughout the pandemic.

The pay rise will be given to all Aldi employees across the UK.

This will mean that the supermarket will increase the following:

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• New minimum hourly rates for Store Assistants of £9.55 nationally and £11.07 inside the M25, rising to £10.57 and £11.32 respectively.

• All store colleagues to receive hourly pay increases.

• New minimum hourly pay exceeds the Living Wage Foundation’s latest recommended pay rates.

• Aldi is one of the only supermarkets to offer paid breaks, which means its colleagues remain the best-paid in the sector.

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The increase will come into play on February 1, 2021.

Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer, Aldi UK, and Ireland said: “I want to express my sincere thanks to every single Aldi colleague who stepped up when it mattered and helped us succeed in our most important mission of all – feeding the nation.

Bucks Free Press: Aldi on Rimmington Way in Aylesbury Aldi on Rimmington Way in Aylesbury

“Their outstanding efforts have ensured that our customers continue to have access to fresh affordable food, every single day.

“It has never been more important to ensure that our colleagues are rewarded fully for their immense contribution during a challenging period for everyone.”

Aldi’s new minimum hourly rates exceed the Living Wage Foundation’s recommended real living wage rates of £9.50 an hour nationally, and £10.85 an hour inside the M25.

These changes mean that Aldi store colleagues across the UK will earn a minimum of £0.83 more per hour than the current National Living Wage, and £2.35 more an hour if they work within the M25.

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Nationally, there are over 900 Aldi branches in the UK, with the supermarket’s aim being to have 1,200 outlets by 2025.

Additionally, despite the ongoing pandemic, the supermarket is recruiting for 4,000 new store colleagues for this year.

The branches in Aylesbury are on Cambridge Street and Rimmington Way respectively, whilst Milton Keynes’ outlets are on Bradwell Common Boulevard, Westcroft Retail Park, and Watling Street in Bletchley.