Discount retailer Lidl has reversed its decision to exclude Northern Irish workers from the pay rise awarded to rest of its UK staff.

The announcement in September that the introduction of Lidl’s living wage - £8.20 an hour (£9.35 an hour in London) - would not be implemented in Northern Ireland prompted threats of consumer boycotts and union protests.

The supermarket said the new pay policy would benefit the 30% of staff currently earning below that figure.

Earlier this year, the government announced the introduction of a compulsory national living wage from April 2016. However, the £7.20 an hour for people aged over 25 was lower than the £8.20 recommendation from the Living Wage Foundation.

Lidl is the first major food retailer ito commit to paying the foundation’s ‘real living wage’. The company said it also had committed to pay a similar wage to staff in the Republic of Ireland.

John Paul Scally, managing director, Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be the first major food retailer to commit to the living wage in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

“Already the majority of our team earn in excess of the living wage, however it is important for us to ensure that those whose hourly pay falls below £8.20 benefit from a substantial increase. This would bring them to a level that is more reflective of enjoying a better standard of living.”