The UK's finance minister Jeremy Hunt has confirmed a substantial increase in the national living wage, raising it to £11.44 (€13.15) per hour from April next year. The news follows recommendations from the Low Pay Commission, signifying a notable increase of £1.02 from the current rate of £10.42.

英国财政大臣杰里米·亨特已确认大幅提高国民生活工资，从明年4月起将其提高到每小时11.44英镑（13.15欧元）。这一消息是根据低薪委员会的建议发布的，这意味着从目前的10.42英镑显著增加了1.02英镑。

The boost - which the Treasury touts as the largest ever cash increase - equates to an annual rise of £1,800 for those on the lowest income. Until now, the national living wage has only applied to Britons aged 23 and older. However, as of next year, the wage will extend its reach to 21 and 22-year-olds, impacting approximately two million individuals.

财政部称这是有史以来最大的现金增长，相当于收入最低的人每年增加1800英镑。到目前为止，国民生活工资只适用于23岁及以上的英国人。然而，从明年起，工资将扩大到21岁和22岁的人群，影响约200万人。

Not only is the national living wage on the rise, but the minimum wage rate and the lowest legal pay for apprentices are also set for significant increases. Those aged 18 to 20 will see their minimum wage climb to at least £8.60 per hour from April, reflecting an increase of £1.11.

不仅国民生活工资在上涨，学徒的最低工资率和最低法定工资也将大幅上涨。从4月份起，18至20岁的最低工资将攀升至每小时至少8.60英镑，增幅为1.11英镑。

Meanwhile, individuals aged 16 and 17, as well as apprentices, will witness their minimum pay rise to £6.40 per hour, marking an increase of £1.12 compared to the previous year.

与此同时，16岁和17岁的个人以及学徒的最低工资将提高到每小时6.40英镑，与前一年相比增加了1.12英镑。

Celebrating the news, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said the move "aims to end low pay in the country, fulfilling our manifesto promise and continuing the positive impact the national living wage has had since its introduction in 2016."

英国财政大臣杰里米·亨特（Jeremy Hunt）在庆祝这一消息时表示，此举“旨在结束该国的低工资，履行我们的宣言承诺，并继续保持自2016年引入以来国民生活工资的积极影响。”

Laura Trott, the chief secretary to the Treasury, refrained from commenting on whether government measures, such as tax cuts, were influenced by the Tories' standing in the polls, which consistently put them at roughly 20% behind the opposition Labour Party. Instead, she said that Hunt and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have made challenging decisions in the national interest to combat inflation.

财政部首席秘书劳拉·特罗特（Laura Trott）没有评论政府的措施，如减税，是否受到保守党在民意调查中的地位的影响，保守党在民调中一直落后于反对党工党约20%。相反，她说，亨特和总理里希·苏纳克为了国家利益做出了具有挑战性的决定，以对抗通货膨胀。

Since its inception in 2016, the national living wage has played a pivotal role in reshaping the wage landscape. The Treasury contends that by elevating the living wage to two-thirds of average earnings, they have successfully reduced the proportion of workers on low hourly pay from 21.3% in 2010 to 8.9% today.

自2016年成立以来，国民生活工资在重塑工资格局方面发挥了关键作用。财政部认为，通过将生活工资提高到平均收入的三分之二，他们成功地将低时薪工人的比例从2010年的21.3%降低到了今天的8.9%。

A Treasury spokesperson said: "Supported by increases to the national living wage, the proportion of workers on low hourly pay has more than halved since 2010." "Additionally, personal tax thresholds have been doubled, allowing working individuals to earn £1,000 a month tax-free for the first time," the spokesperson added. "This move reaffirms the government's commitment to ensuring that work always pays."

财政部发言人表示：“在国民生活工资上涨的支持下，自2010年以来，低时薪工人的比例减少了一半以上。”发言人补充道：“此外，个人所得税起征点增加了一倍，首次允许在职个人每月免税收入1000英镑。”。“此举重申了政府致力于确保工作总是有回报的。”

词汇小结：

• the national living wage：全国最低生活薪资

• the Treasury：财政部（英国）

• tout：标榜；吹捧；吹嘘

• apprentices：学徒

• inception：（机构、组织等的）开端，创始

• halve：（使）减半

编辑：ETTBL

译：Gleen

材料来源：EURONEWS*配图取自网络，仅供学习分享使用，侵删