Half a million workers get Real Living Wage rise to £14.10 an hour but millions more are still trapped in poverty

Almost 500,000 workers employed by nearly 17,000 accredited employers received a pay rise yesterday as the Real Living Wage increased by 65p to £14.10 an hour across the UK and £15.45 in London. Workers on the new full-time rate will take home over £1,250 more this year — and more than £2,700 above the government's statutory minimum of £12.71. The announcement marks the 25th anniversary of the Living Wage campaign, which has delivered nearly £5 billion in extra pay since it launched. Living Wage Foundation co-director Emily Sawh warned that millions of workers remain trapped in in-work poverty despite the gains.

The London rate of £15.45 gives a full-time capital worker an annual income more than £5,300 higher than the government minimum — a gap equivalent to 16 months' worth of food bills.

Employers signed up include IKEA, Uniqlo, Lush, Nationwide Building Society and Everton FC, with one in seven UK employees now working for an accredited Living Wage employer.

Sawh warned that 61% of low-paid workers have reduced spending on food or heating or fallen behind on bills, and foodbank use in the past year was reported by 37% of that group.