As inflation threatens living standards across the developed world, governments are stepping in to lessen the blow for some of the lowest-paid workers — but their actions will only partially protect those most in need.

Several European countries plan inflation-busting increases in their minimum wage in the year ahead.

In Germany, successive increases will lift the minimum wage almost 10 per cent to €10.45 over the year to July and the new ruling coalition has pledged to raise it further to €12. In Portugal, Poland, the Czech Republic and Romania, the statutory wage floor rose 6 per cent or more from January. France, whose hourly minimum is already one of the highest among rich economies, will continue to uprate it in line with prices (inflation in December was at 3.4 per cent). In the UK, the statutory wage floor will rise 6.6 per cent in April.