What is the living wage?
In April 2016 the government introduced a higher minimum wage rate for all staff over 25 years of age inspired by the Living Wage campaign – even calling it the ‘national living wage’.
However, this wage is not calculated according to what employees and their families need to live. Instead, it is based on a target to reach 66% of median earnings by 2024.
The real Living Wage rates are higher because they are independently-calculated based on what people need to get by. That’s why Citizens UK encourage all employers that can afford to do so to ensure their employees earn a wage that meets the costs of living, not just the government minimum.
What is Living Wage Accreditation?
The Living Wage Accreditation is managed by Citizens UK and is awarded to companies that provide their employees with the real living wage, at least, and are committed to continuing that level of pay, including any increases in the real living wage.
The real Living Wage is calculated independently based on the actual cost of living, and it is up to employers whether they wish to implement the real living wage.
Over 7000 firms are now Living Wage accredited, and as a result of this, £1.3 billion is now going into the pockets of low-income people.
