Living Wage Foundation responds to the Government's increase to the National Living Wage to £12.21

Ahead of tomorrow's Autumn Statement, the Government announced an increase in their National Living Wage to £12.21/hour for those aged 21+. 

Katherine Chapman, Director of the Living Wage Foundation, said: 


"It is really positive to see increases to the minimum wage that will help workers keep pace with the cost of living, particularly as prices remain high. 
 


It is important to remember that the government’s rate is the legal minimum employers must pay — it is separate to the real Living Wage which is a voluntary standard and the only wage rate that is solely based on the cost of living. The real Living Wage is currently £12.60 an hour in the UK and £13.85 in London. 
 


More than 15,000 employers are already going beyond the legal minimum to ensure their regular and contracted staff like cleaners are always paid a real Living Wage and can live with security and dignity. This includes over half the FTSE 100, as well as thousands of smaller employers who see paying the real Living Wage as an investment in their workforce, leading to better morale, retention, and productivity."