Increase for UK's lowest-paid workers comes as household bills rise

Statutory minimum wages go up on same day as inflation-busting increases to utility and phone bills

Approximately 2 million of the UK's lowest-paid workers will receive a raise from Thursday after increases to statutory minimum wage rates. However, many workers are unlikely to feel better off as the pay rise comes on the same day as inflation-busting increases hit household bills.

Workers aged 23-24 are expected be the biggest beneficiaries after the government announced that they will start receiving the new minimum living wage of 8.91 a hour - up from the 8.20 a hour they are currently entitled to.