Nearly half a million Brits to get 10% pay rise today

Those earning the new Real Living Wage will earn more than £3,000 a year more than those on the government minimum

The wage increase is set to reflect the ongoing cost of living crisis and will affect more than 460,000 workers for 14,000 employers across the nation.

Outside London, workers can expect to receive £12 an hour which is a rise of £1.10 while workers in the capital can expect £13.15 an hour, which is a £1.20 increase.

Living Wage Foundation director Katherine Chapman said: “As inflation eases, we cannot forget that low-paid workers remain at the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis.

“Low-paid workers continue to struggle with stubbornly high prices because they spend a larger share of their budget on food and energy.

“These new rates are a lifeline for the 460,000 workers who will get a pay rise.”

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea added: “This is good news for hundreds of thousands of low-paid workers whose employers do the right thing. That’s pay them a decent wage.”

The wage change will apply to employers who signed up to the voluntary Real Living Wage scheme which was set up by the Living Wage Foundation charity.

Over time, a full time worker earning the new Real Living Wage will earn £3,081 a year more than someone who is currently on the government minimum. For people in London this could be an additional £5,323.

The Unison general secretary explained: “But many more providing essential public services will miss out. These employees include care workers, who’re often on poverty pay, in a sector already struggling to fill record vacancies.

“Today’s increase means thousands of workers employed by the NHS on the lowest pay bands - like porters, cleaners, domestics and security staff - will be significantly short of the new rate.

“The Government must follow suit and boost the minimum wage so millions are better able to weather the cost-of-living pressures causing such deep financial pain.”

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