Nearly 70,000 people have signed a petition calling for M&S to abandon plans to cut pay following the implementation of the national living wage. The retailer is planning to cut pay for working antisocial hours, meaning staff will not be paid extra for working Bank Holidays and Sundays.

M&S employee Kate Simpson who has worked for the retailer for 40 years and who set up the petition, has said that the cuts will see over 11,000 people lose up to £6,000 a year.

A spokesman for M&S said in response: "We believe our proposed new approach to pay and pensions would reward our people in a fair and consistent way, simplify and modernise our business and help us attract and retain the best talent so we can continue to provide great service for our customers.”

The proposals include one of the highest pay rates and one of the best benefit packages in UK retail.