Millions of workers still paid below the UK Real Living Wage
OVER five million workers are still paid less than the Real Living Wage, a report has revealed.
The Living Wage Foundation sets new rates annually to reflect the wage an individual needs to maintain an acceptable quality of life.
Katherine Chapman, the director of the Living Wage Foundation said: “In-work poverty is today’s story.
“Great businesses know that, even during these tough times, not only is fair pay the right thing to do but paying the Real Living Wage brings big benefits.”
Hilary Spence from Brighton said, “I’m currently earning less than the Real Living Wage so I struggle to cover all the cost of my bills monthly, it’s tough.”
On Monday, it was announced that the Real Living Wage rates in the UK would rise by 30p to £8.75 an hour.
It will rise by 45p to £10.20 an hour in London. The increase has been driven by the rising cost of household goods, transport and rent.
One hundred and fifty thousand workers are covered by the scheme as 3,600 employers are signed up.
More than 1,000 employers have signed up to pay the Real Living Wage in the last year, including Heathrow Airport and Lush Cosmetics.
Low pay remains significant across the charity sector, the report says.
Bart Gamber, the director of programmes at the Milton Keynes Community Foundation charity said: “Minimum wage is poverty wage.
“We support the Real Living Wage to give people a decent standard of living.”
