Rise In Voluntary Living Wage Announced

The Voluntary Living Wage rate, promoted by the Living Wage Foundation, has been increased by 40p an hour to £8.25.

The rate for those living in London has been increased by 25p to £9.40 an hour.

The Voluntary Living Wage is not to be confused with the National Living Wage of £7.20 an hour for workers of 25 and over, which becomes compulsory in April 2016.

The Living Wage Foundation campaigns for businesses to pay its rate, calculated independently based on the cost of living.

There are now more than 2,000 accredited employers paying the Voluntary Living Wage across the UK – double the number from November 2014.

Sarah Vero, director of the Living Wage Foundation, said: “We are celebrating those 2,000 responsible businesses that are voluntarily paying the Living Wage to their staff. These employers are not waiting for government to tell them what to do. Their actions are helping to end the injustice that is in-work poverty in the UK right now.

“More UK businesses are announcing their Voluntary Living Wage accreditation, including national retailer Richer Sounds, Lloyds Banking Group and Unilever. They join a growing list of organisations ranging from FTSE 100 companies to independent businesses, SMEs and third-sector employers who all share our belief that work should be the surest way out of poverty.

“The Voluntary Living Wage is good for people and for business.”

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