The living wage has risen to £8.75 an hour across the UK and £10.20 an hour in London, where the cost of living is higher.
The living wage is calculated independently and is separate from the ‘national living wage’ which was a rebranding of the national minimum wage adult rate, introduced by former chancellor George Osborne.
The living wage is a figure produced by the Living Wage Foundationto 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 3.6%, and 4.6% in London, reflecting the real increase in the cost of living
Some 3,500 employers have agreed to pay the living wage, including public sector employers and other public-service providers.
Bargaining for the living wage – download the UNISON guide, updated October 2017
