SOME of the lowest-paid healthcare workers in California got a pay rise today under a state law that will gradually increase their wages to at least $25 an hour (around £19).

Workers at rural, independent healthcare facilities will start making a minimum of $18 an hour (£14) while others at hospitals with at least 10,000 full-time employees will begin getting paid at least $23 an hour (£18) this week. 

The law will increase workers’ pay over the next decade, with the $25 hourly rate kicking in sooner for some than others.