Living Wage Foundation Raises Real Living Wage to £14.10

The Living Wage Foundation raised the voluntary Real Living Wage to £14.10 per hour across the United Kingdom and £15.45 in London. This 65p hourly increase benefits nearly 500,000 workers employed by approximately 17,000 accredited organizations, including IKEA, Uniqlo, and Everton FC. Full-time employees will see an annual earnings increase of over £1,250, placing them well above the government's legal minimum wage of £12.71 for workers over 21.

The announcement marks the 25th anniversary of the Living Wage campaign, which has provided nearly £5 billion in additional pay to low-wage workers since its start. Despite these gains, the foundation estimates that 4.4 million workers are still paid below the Real Living Wage, leaving many to struggle with energy and food costs.

Stakeholders emphasized the necessity of the raise amid economic pressure. Unison General Secretary Andrea Egan stated the new rates highlight the urgency for the Prime Minister to address the cost-of-living crisis. UNIQLO UK COO Alessandro Dudech committed the company to competitive pay, while Eland Cables Executive Director JS Pelland noted that adopting the rate improved staff retention.