Real Living Wage Raised to £13.45; £14.80 London

The Living Wage Foundation has raised the voluntary Real Living Wage to £13.45 across the UK (an 85p/6.7% increase) and to £14.80 in London (a 95p/6.9% increase), with the new rates due to take effect in April. Almost half a million workers employed by more than 16,000 accredited employers are expected to benefit, with a full-time Real Living Wage earner gaining about £2,418 a year more than someone on the government’s National Living Wage (currently £12.21) and about £5,050 more in London. The Real Living Wage is independently calculated to reflect actual living costs — including rent, energy, childcare and emergency expenses — and is paid voluntarily by employers, distinct from the statutory minimum. Employers that sign up commit to paying all staff, including outsourced workers such as cleaners and security. The Living Wage Foundation says the rise will help low-paid workers cope with rising costs, and accreditation has continued to grow despite economic challenges.