The Living Wage Foundation has announced new Real Living Wage rates of:
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£13.45 per hour across the UK, an increase of 6.7% from last year.
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£14.80 per hour for London, a 6.9% increase from last year.
This is a voluntary wage rate, assessed against living costs, in contrast to the National Living Wage/National Minimum Wage rates, which are statutory. Employers who use the Real Living Wage will have until 1 May 2026 to implement the new rates.
Executive Director of the Living Wage Foundation, Katherine Chapman, 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.”
