Amazon has raised its hourly rate for U.S. workers to $15 per hour.

The increase will apply to more than 250,000 U.S. workers.

Jay Carney, senior vice president of global corporate affairs, says Amazon will advocate for a minimum wage increase that will have a profound impact on the lives of families across the country.
  
Amazon is also increasing wages in some areas outside the U.S. The company announced that the minimum wage will be 10.50 pounds an hour in London and 9.50 pounds in other parts of the UK. The increases will include 17,000 Amazon employees as well as 20,000 seasonal workers.

Many other companies and states are working to increase minimum wage.

Target promised to raise wages for its employees to $15 by 2020.

Walmart raised its minimum wage to $11 an hour, and New York plans to raise its minimum wage to $15.