DIY retailer B&Q are offering almost 27,000 employees two years’ compensation as they continue to discuss pay packages. This is due to complaints from staff regarding plans to slash employee benefits.

In response to the introduction of the ‘living wage’, the company lowered Sunday pay, bank holiday pay and staff bonuses to compensate for increasing its minimum pay rate to £7.66 per hour which is 46p more than the official living wage and is for all staff, not just the over 25’s. They also provide 30 minute paid breaks and pension benefits.

A spokesperson at B&Q said, “Over the next two years, we will continue to work with our colleagues to look at ways we can enhance our overall reward package to ensure we remain one of the best and most attractive employers in retail.”