Asda is increasing its hourly rate for accuracy checking dispensing assistants (ACDA) and accuracy checking technicians (ACT).

The increases are effective on April 1 and July 5, with workers inside the M25 getting a higher hourly rate.

National pay rates for those outside the M25 will go up from £12.60 to £12.71 this week, before increasing to £13.10 in July.

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For those working inside the M25, hourly pay will go up from £13.82 to £13.93 this week, and increase to £14.35 in July.

Asda confirmed to C+D the pay rise covers 137 ACDAs and 13 ACTs, with all working either part-time or on fixed term contracts. In total, 110,000 hourly-paid retail colleagues will receive a pay increase.

Asda chief people officer James Goodman said the colleagues are at the “core of our business and the role they play serving customers is central to our ‘Formula for Growth’ turnaround plan”.

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It comes as Community Pharmacy England (CPE) said the increase to the national living wage could cost the community pharmacy sector tens of millions in additional costs.

In November, CPE’s report on staffing and morale revealed that 60% of contractors or directors had not taken any earnings from their business in the previous 12 months.