Full Breakdown
Real Living Wage Rises Across the UK, Benefiting Half a Million Workers
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Change and Scope
The real living wage has been raised to £14.10 an hour nationwide and to £15.45 in London, a 65-pence uplift representing roughly a 4.8 % increase across the country and 4.4 % in the capital. The adjustment applies to the roughly 500,000 employees of the 17,000 employers that have signed up to pay the campaign’s rate, delivering pay rises of more than £1,000 a year for each worker.
Campaign Background
The Living Wage Foundation’s campaign, now in its 25th year, began in East London as a grassroots effort by low-paid workers seeking decent pay. Over the decades it has grown to include major retailers such as Uniqlo and Ikea, as well as organisations like Transport for London, Nationwide Building Society and Liverpool Football Club. While the UK government’s statutory national living wage remains £12.71 an hour for staff aged 21 and over, the campaign’s “real” rate is calculated on the actual cost of essentials such as housing, food and energy.
Projected Impact
Analysis from the Living Wage Foundation indicates that a worker on the new rate will earn more than £2,700 annually compared with the current government minimum. The rise is expected to make employees over £1,250 better off this year, according to the campaign’s co-director. By lifting wages for half a million workers, the increase injects billions of pounds into the pockets of low-paid staff and is projected to reduce in-work poverty, though the campaign notes that many workers still face food-bank reliance and bill arrears.
Official Statements & Responses
Emily Sawh, co-director of the Living Wage Foundation, highlighted the significance of the change:
> “Today’s increase to the real living wage will make a massive difference to hundreds of thousands of workers and their families up and down the country. They will be over £1,250 better off this year thanks to the rise, helping them achieve the decent standard of living they need to thrive.” — Emily Sawh, co-director of the Living Wage Foundation
The foundation continues to urge additional employers to join the scheme to further alleviate in-work poverty.