Lidl GB Invests Further £29 Million In Pay & Doubles Paternity Leave

Lidl GB has announced a further £29m investment in colleague pay, which will – once again - make it the highest paying UK supermarket. The changes will benefit all 35,000 colleagues, salaried and hourly paid, across the country.

The news marks the seventh pay rise announcement from the discounter since 2023, as Lidl continues to invest in its colleagues. From 1st March, entry-level hourly pay will rise to an industry-leading £13.45 nationally, increasing to £14.45 with length of service. In London, hourly pay will increase from £14.35 to £14.80, rising further to £15.30 with length of service.

Lidl colleagues become the only employees within the industry to benefit from the Real Living Wage nationwide and the London Living Wage, continuing the discounter’s long-time commitment to match this benchmark.

As the UK’s fastest-growing bricks-and-mortar supermarket for over two years running, Lidl continues to expand its presence, opening hundreds of new stores and creating jobs nationwide. As the business continues to grow, rewarding colleagues fairly remains central to its approach as a responsible employer, recognising that its growth plans depend on the dedication of those who deliver every day.

Alongside pay, Lidl is also doubling paternity leave from two to four weeks’ full pay. After five years of service, colleagues will be entitled to eight weeks’ full pay, making it one of the most competitive paternity leave offers in the industry. This enhancement builds on the discounter’s existing credentials as the first supermarket to introduce 28 weeks full pay for colleagues on maternity or adoption leave. Lidl also offers paid leave for those undergoing fertility treatment and those affected by pregnancy loss.

Stephanie Rogers, Chief People Officer at Lidl GB, said: “Our colleagues are the backbone of our business, and their success is our success. This is why I couldn’t be prouder that we’re able to offer the highest wages in the industry to reward our colleagues for their incredible work."

"We are continuing to mark unprecedented growth across Great Britain, creating thousands more jobs along the way, while continuing to invest in our people."

"This also means supporting our teams during key life stages so we’re also excited to announce our latest updates to our family leave policies, including a doubling of paid paternity leave.”

Since becoming the first UK supermarket to provide a Living Wage in 2015, Lidl has remained committed to being a first-choice employer. The discounter was named DE&I Retailer of the Year at the Retail Industry Awards 2025 and recently certified as a “Top Employer” once again by the Top Employers Institute, highlighting Lidl as one of the best employers in the country.