Increases in the voluntary “real living wage” have been brought forward, giving a pay boost to almost 400,000 workers. The hourly rates are rising by £1 to £10.90 across the UK and by 90p to £11.95 in London.
The rates are higher than the statutory £9.50 an hour for adults, and are paid by more than 11,000 employers accredited by the Living Wage Foundation. The announcement of the new rates was brought forward in recognition of the sharp increase in living costs over the past year, said the foundation.
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. They join half of the FTSE 100 companies, including Aviva, Everton FC, Ikea, Burberry and Lush as well as thousands of small businesses.
