Living wage rises to £9 an hour – and £10.55 in London

Announcement of new rates marks the start of Living Wage Week

UNISON campaigning for a living wage graphic

The living wage has risen to £9 an hour across the UK and £10.55 an hour in London, where the cost of living is higher.

The living wage is a figure produced by the Living Wage Foundation to reflect the “real cost of living in the UK and London.” It is calculated to provide enough for a person to live decently and to adequately provide for their family.

This year’s increase came at the start of Living Wage Week, traditionally the first week of November. The rates went up by 2.9%, and 3.4% in London.

Some 4,700 employers have agreed to pay the living wage, including public sector employers and other public-service providers.

UNISON has recently updated our living wage bargaining guide, which sets out advice on:

  • the arguments to put to employers in making the case for the living wage;
  • countering common responses from employers;
  • factors to consider in shaping your strategy for implementation of the living wage;
  • the campaigning and organising techniques for strengthening the bargaining position;
  • methods of building the living wage into procurement policies;
  • ensuring that annual uprating of the wage feeds into staff pay packets.

The Living Wage Foundation

Download the living wage bargaining guide