Almost 400,000 workers across the UK will see a pay boost as increases to the real living wage have been brought forward in recognition of the cost-of-living crisis.
Workers of the 11,000 employers signed up to pay the real living wage will see hourly rates rise by £1 to £10.90 and 90p to £11.95 for those in London.
The new rates are higher than the statutory £9.50 per hour for adults in the UK, with the 10.1% increase being the largest year on year rise, according to the Living Wage Foundation.
The amount of employers paying the real living wage has doubled in the past two years and includes companies within the retail sector such as FMCG giant Nestlé, Cook, Ikea, Burberry and Lush.
“We are facing unprecedented challenges with the cost-of-living crisis, but businesses continue to step up and support workers by signing up to the Living Wage in record numbers,” Living Wage Foundation director, Katherine Chapman said.
“We know that the Living Wage is good for employers as well as workers, that’s why the real living wage must continue to be at the heart of solutions to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.”
The Union of Shop, Distribution and Allied Workers’ general secretary, Paddy Lillis said its members “welcome” the new living wage rates.
However the trade union continues to campaign for urgent government action as it hopes it will “follow this lead by bringing forward the National Minimum Wage rate increases to October 2022, instead of April 2023.”
He said: “Alongside this, we are seeking talks with all the employers we deal with to secure urgent assistance to tackle the hardship that many of our members are facing.”
“Our New Deal for Workers campaign calls for a minimum wage rate of at least £12 per hour immediately, as a step towards £15, for all workers over 16, which would abolish rip-off youth rates.”
Of those accredited by the Living Wage Foundation, there are now 39 ‘living hours’ employers which as well as providing the real living wage, also guarantee employees with a minimum of 16 hours work each week and a month’s notice of shift patterns.
Lillis added: “As recognised by the Living Wage Foundation’s ‘Living Hours’ campaign, improving hourly pay alone is not enough. We need to look at security of employment, availability of hours and guaranteed contracts, to ensure workers have a weekly income that they can live on.
