Real Living Wage Increases by Nearly 7%
The 'real' living wage, a voluntary hourly rate paid by over 16,000 employers, has increased by nearly 7% for 2025-2026.
The Living Wage Foundation announced the living wage outside London will increase from £12.60 per hour to £13.45, a 6.7% increase, while the rate inside the capital rises by 6.9%, from £13.85 to £14.80.
- 42% of low-paid workers have used foodbanks in the past year.
- 56% of low-paid workers with dependent children have used foodbanks.
Recent research by the Living Wage Foundation showed that many of Britain’s 4.5 million low-paid workers have struggled to make ends meet.
The real living wage is higher than the government’s statutory minimum wage rate, the national living wage (NLW), which for those aged 21 and over is currently £12.21.
Author's summary: Real living wage increases by 7% in 2025-2026.