Issue 6
Not on a Living Wage
More than a fifth (21%) of the UK workforce is paid below the Living Wage, according to a report by the Living Wage Commission.
Working for poverty gives a detailed analysis of the rise of low pay and working poverty in the UK, and found that 5.24 million workers are paid below the Living Wage — a 9% increase or an extra 420,000 workers over the last 12 months.
Dr John Sentamu, chair of the Living Wage Commission, said: “The idea of making work pay is an empty slogan to millions of people who are hard pressed and working hard; but find themselves in a downward social spiral.
"With the economy showing signs of recovery, employers that can pay a Living Wage must do so."