Lower Paid Living Squeeze

Lower Paid Living Squeeze.

With low wages and rising living costs continuing, the lower paid employees are not benefitting from the improving economy. The living wage is a calculation of the basic living cost.

The Archbishop of York John Sentamu has tried to reach out to employers to start paying their lowest paid workers the living wage.

The rate which is not a requirement stands at £7.65 per hour. This is higher than the legal minimum wage for the UK which is £6.31 per hour.

In London the living wage is higher at £8.80 per hour, due to higher living costs and accommodation.

5 million workers are thought to be paid less than the living wage. However over the last year the number of people receiving the living wage has increased.

With property prices on an increase and consumer goods rising the living wage may be crucial for some lower paid workers. A report found that everyday items had risen in price faster than their already higher priced rivals.