Sports Directs company-wide pay increase labelled 'PR stunt'

Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley’s pledge to increase the hourly wage of workers and become ‘the next John Lewis’ has been dismissed as nothing more than a “PR stunt.”

Workers under the age of 21 will see their hourly wage go up to £5.45 an hour from £5.30 an hour. Employees over the age of 21 will witness an increase from £6.70 an hour to £6.85 an hour.

Giving a rare interview to The Mirror Ashley said: “I’m making a New Year’s resolution pledge to the Daily Mirror – and I’m deadly serious. I want to see Sports Direct become the best high street retail employer, after John Lewis.

“I realise this is ambitious and it won’t be easy but I believe that as a FTSE 100 or even 250 company we have a responsibility to set a high moral standard.”