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Mon, 07 Sep 2026

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 Next wins key appeal to overturn £30m equal pay ruling

A judge ruled Next can pay warehouse workers more because it is harder to recruit and retain them.

* Next has won an appeal allowing it to pay warehouse workers a higher hourly rate than shop floor staff.
* The Employment Appeal Tribunal overturned part of a 2024 ruling that found Next was wrong to pay warehouse staff more for jobs of equal value.
* More than 3,500 current and former employees had been set to share over £30m in back pay as a result of the original judgement.
* The tribunal accepted that Next was justified in paying higher rates due to recruitment and retention pressures for warehouse workers.
* Leigh Day, which represents store workers, described the conclusion on basic pay as "disappointing" and will appeal the decision.
* Next believes the decision is a "landmark victory" and a victory for common sense.
* The ruling does not affect night-time premiums, overtime premiums, or paid rest breaks, which were upheld in the original judgement.
* Questions are being asked about whether this result could set a precedent across the industry.
* Similar claims are ongoing against Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, and Sainbury's.