Living Wage rise to boost thousands

THOUSANDS of Birmingham workers received a pay rise this week after the Living Wage rose to £8.75 per hour.

It is an increase of 30p per hour on the amount the Living Wage Foundation calculates is enough to meet the basic costs of living – including housing, food and energy bills, and £1.25 per hour more than the Government’s minimum wage of £7.50 per hour.

More than 3,600 UK employers have agreed to be Living Wage accredited, including many in Birmingham such as the city council and National Express West Midlands. They will now ensure that all their staff earn at least the £8.75 rate.

Living Wage Foundation director Katherine Chapman said: “The new Living Wage rates will bring relief for thousands of UK workers being squeezed by stagnant wages and rising inflation. In-work poverty is today’s story. New figures show that 5.5 million people are still paid less than the real Living Wage. Great businesses know that, even during these tough times, not only is fair pay the right thing to do but paying the real Living Wage brings big benefits.”