Motorway service operator Welcome Break has announced it will pay the National Living Wage to all its employees across the UK from April 1.

The National Living Wage will be the minimum starting rate for all of the company’s 5,000-plus employees across its 27 sites, irrespective of age.

Currently 2,095 employees (42% of the workforce) is aged under 25 and Welcome Break says the decision to provide all of its staff with the National Living Wage is part of a strategy to attract the best people to work for the company.

The change will cost an additional £4m, and for some employees, this will represent an increase of 33% on their current wage.

Welcome Break CEO Rod McKie said: “We are dedicated to offering dependable jobs to the very best people available, and pride ourselves on ensuring Welcome Break is a great place to work.

“If you want to attract the best people you need to reward them accordingly, and as such we’ve made the decision to give all of our employees, regardless of age, the National Living Wage.

“This is alongside the excellent career development opportunities with our world-class brand partners and a host of other benefits, all our employees receive.”