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Real living wage raised by record 10% to help workers through cost of living crisis

Almost 400,000 people in the UK are set to receive a pay rise.

Emily Sergeant - 22nd September 2022

The real living wage has been raised by a record 10.1% to help workers navigate the rising cost of living crisis.

With inflation now at a 40-year high, and the cost of living crisis continuing to make its impact felt nationwide, it’s now been revealed that almost 400,000 workers in the UK are set to receive a pay rise after an increase the “real living wage” agreed by thousands of businesses and organisations has been brought forward.

This means that the hourly rates for the living wage are rising by £1 to £10.90 across the UK, and by 90p to £11.95 in London.

The rates are higher than the government’s statutory £9.50 an hour for adults.

Those set to receive the rise are paid by more than 11,000 employers who have signed up to the Real Living Wage Foundation scheme – with the foundation claiming 390,000 people would benefit to the tune of almost £2,000 for a full-time worker.

The number of real living wage employers has more than doubled in the past two years, with major new names including the Royal Albert Hall, Aston University, and the ExCel Centre joining half of the FTSE 100 companies, such as Aviva, Everton FC, Ikea, Burberry, and Lush.

Thousands of small businesses are also signed-up to the scheme.

Read more:

• Inflation hits another new 40-year UK high of 10.1% as cost of living crisis worsens
• Sainsbury’s give staff second pay rise and free food to help with cost of living
• Energy bills to be halved for UK businesses for the next six months

The Real Living Wage Foundation said the 10.1% hike represented the largest annual increase implemented in the UK.

“With living costs rising so rapidly, millions are facing an awful ‘heat or eat’ choice this winter – that’s why a real living wage is more vital than ever,” said Katherine Chapman – Director of the Real Living Wage Foundation.

“Today’s new rates will provide hundreds of thousands of workers and their families with greater security and stability during these incredibly difficult times. 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.

“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.”

Featured Image – Aldi