Santander UK today announced that it would be giving over 11,000 employees a 4% pay increase, effective from 1st August, to help with the increased cost of living. All employees earning under £35,000 (full time equivalent) will be eligible for the rise, which covers 60% of the bank's workforce. This means the majority of Santander UK's customer-facing branch and contact centre staff will be eligible. Chief Executive, Mike Regnier, said: "The increased cost of living is impacting households across the country, so we have looked at how best we can help the majority of our own people who play such important roles for Santander. This 4% pay raise will make a real difference to the majority of our customer facing and contact centre staff who are committed to helping our customers and businesses prosper in the current economic climate." Santander UK will also increase its entry level salaries to £19,500 from 1st August. The pay rise and increased entry level salaries were agreed with the Advance & CWU Unions.