Thousands of Welsh workers get pay rise as Real Living Wage increases
Thousands of Welsh workers get pay rise as Real Living Wage increases
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Over 21,000 workers across Wales are set to receive a pay boost as the Real Living Wage increases to £13.45 an hour, a rise of 85p, or 6.7%, from last year’s rate.
The new rate, announced today by the Living Wage Foundation, applies to all accredited Real Living Wage employers across the UK. In London, the rate will increase to £14.80 an hour, reflecting higher living costs in the capital.
The increase means a full-time worker in Wales earning the Real Living Wage will receive over £2,418 more annually compared to the government’s legal minimum, the National Living Wage, which currently stands at £12.21 an hour for workers aged 21 and over.
Across the UK, nearly half a million workers employed by more than 16,000 accredited Living Wage employers, including IKEA, Aviva, and Everton FC, will benefit from the rise.
In Wales, the movement continues to gain momentum, with more than 590 accredited employers now signed up, covering a wide range of sectors from retail to local government.
The Real Living Wage is distinct from the government’s statutory minimum. It is the only UK wage rate independently calculated based on what people need to cover living costs such as rent, energy, childcare, transport, and essentials like food or winter clothing.
Katherine Chapman, Executive Director of the Living Wage Foundation, said: “We all need a wage that covers life’s essentials, and the real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate independently calculated based solely on what is needed to cover rising living costs.
“The new rates announced today will make a massive difference to workers and their families, helping them to better cope with the costs of rent, bills, food and other essentials, and to live with stability and security.
“It remains a tough time for low-paid workers, with 4.5 million people still earning less than the real Living Wage and struggling to escape the grip of in-work poverty. That’s why we encourage as many employers as possible to do the right thing and commit to paying a wage that reflects the real cost of living.
“Despite the challenges businesses face, our movement continues to grow, with over 16,000 employers now accredited. These leading employers are showing that paying the real Living Wage has a far-reaching impact on staff, businesses and society.”
Since its launch in 2011, the Real Living Wage campaign has delivered over £4.2 billion in extra wages to low-paid workers across the UK. Despite ongoing economic pressures, the number of accredited employers continues to rise, nearly 2,500 have joined in the past year alone.
Recent additions to the movement include major organisations such as Uniqlo, the University of Salford, and Truro City Council, joining half of the FTSE 100, alongside thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Across the UK, one in seven employees now work for an accredited Living Wage employer, reflecting growing recognition of the benefits to both staff and businesses.
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