Over 150,000 workers are set to benefit from a voluntary increase to the Living Wage.
The UK Living Wage is set to increase by 30p to £8.75, while the London Living Wage will increase by 45p to £10.20.
The increase comes after a new report conducted by KPMG found that 5.5 million people across the UK are still paid less than the real Living Wage.
The Living Wage rates are independently calculated, based on the real cost of living in the UK and London. The 2017 increases have been largely driven by higher inflation feeding through to the basket of goods and services that underpin the rates, with rising private rents and transport costs also having an impact.
Over 3,600 employers across the UK, including IKEA, Aviva, Chelsea and Everton Football Clubs and Google, are all paying the real Living Wage to ensure all staff, including onsite contractors, earn a wage that meets the real cost of living.
Heathrow Airport is the latest company to join the scheme and the first UK airport to do so.
This will see that the UK’s largest airport ensures 3,200 airport workers are paid the Living Wage by the end of 2020 and marks a significant milestone in the airport’s long term plan for sustainable growth.
Living Wage Foundation director Katherine Chapman said, “In-work poverty is today’s story.”
“The new living wage rates will bring relief for thousands of UK workers being squeezed by stagnant wages and rising inflation.”
“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.”
“Nine out of ten accredited Living Wage employers report real benefits including improved retention, reputation, recruitment and staff motivation.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said, “I pledged to ensure the London living wage rises to beyond £10 and I am delighted that has been achieved.”
“I am determined to make London a fairer and more equal city, and the news that more [than] 1,500 businesses are paying the wage is a good step towards achieving that.”
“But we need to go further, and for many more businesses and organisations to sign up.”
