More than 460,000 people will get a wage increase to reflect the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, it has been announced.
The so-called Real Living Wage has been increased by 10%, meaning nearly half a million people working for 14,000 employers will receive the wage rise. The Living Wage Foundation said its rates will increase to £12 an hour outside London – a rise of £1.10 – and to £13.15 an hour in the capital – a £1.20 increase.
The foundation said the 10% rise, coming into effect today on Tuesday, October 24, reflects "persistently high costs" for low-paid workers. The voluntary rate, which applies to everyone over the age of 18, compares to the statutory National Living Wage for over-23s of £10.42 an hour.
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A full-time worker earning the new Real Living Wage will earn £3,081 a year more than someone on the current government minimum, and an additional £5,323 in London, according to the foundation. Its research found that, despite easing inflation, the cost-of-living crisis is far from over for low-paid workers, with 50% worse off than a year ago.
Living Wage Foundation director Katherine Chapman said: "As inflation eases, we cannot forget that low-paid workers remain at the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis. Low-paid workers continue to struggle with stubbornly high prices because they spend a larger share of their budget on food and energy.
"These new rates are a lifeline for the 460,000 workers who will get a pay rise." The foundation said record numbers of employers are signing up to pay the voluntary rates.
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: "This is good news for hundreds of thousands of low-paid workers whose employers do the right thing. That's pay them a decent wage. But many more providing essential public services will miss out. These employees include care workers, who're often on poverty pay, in a sector already struggling to fill record vacancies.
"Today's increase means thousands of workers employed by the NHS on the lowest pay bands – like porters, cleaners, domestics and security staff – will be significantly short of the new rate. The Government must follow suit and boost the minimum wage so millions are better able to weather the cost-of-living pressures causing such deep financial pain."
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