UK Budget 2017: How much will the National Living Wage go up by?

The Chancellor has announced an increase in the National Living Wage as part of his first autumn Budget.

The National Living Wage is to go up by 33p an hour for workers aged over 25, Philip Hammond said on Wednesday.

In other developments Mr Hammond stunned MPs by lopping a half-point off growth on average from each of the next five years.

But he pulled a surprise rabbit out at the end of his speech by giving a cash boost for millions of young people struggling to get on the homes ladder.

What will the new National Living Wage be?

The National Living Wage will increase by 33p an hour to £7.83 for over 25s.

Statutory rates for 21 to 24-year-olds will go up by the same amount to £7.38, by 30p for 18 to 20-year-olds to £5.90 and 15p to £4.20 for 16 and 17-year-olds.

The rate for apprentices aged under 19 or in the first year of an apprenticeship will increase by 20p to £3.70.

The New National Living wage will still be lower than the voluntary "real" living wage of £10.20 an hour in London and £8.75 outside the capital.

The higher rates, set by the Living Wage Foundation, are paid by thousands of employers.

When will it increase?

The increase will come in next April.

What do the experts say?

Bryan Sanderson, chairman of the Low Pay Commission - whose recommendation on wages were accepted by the Government, said: "The core decision was whether the most recent economic evidence met the condition of sustained economic growth to enable the national living wage to be uprated in line with the path to 60 per cent of median earnings.

"Commissioners weighed the available evidence carefully, judged that it did, and agreed to keep a steady course to 2020. The recommended rate of £7.83 is in line with the indicative rate of £7.85 that we set out last October.

"For young people aged between 18 and 24 years old, commissioners judged that economic conditions warranted larger percentage increases.

"There have been ongoing improvements in their employment and unemployment position, and their earnings have been growing faster than those of workers aged 25 and over for three years.

"This is good news for the millions of low paid workers who are paid at the minimum rates."