M&S will increase pay from Monday and the rise will remain in place until the end of May when it will be reviewed in light of government advice.

The retailer said the higher salaries were in recognition of the work staff are doing “to support their teams and the national effort to help customers access the products they need during these unprecedented times”.

M&S also said staff on furlough – which is voluntary at present but can be taken by frontline staff with caring commitments or who are vulnerable to the infection – will continue to be paid in full.