The Living Wage Foundation has brought forward the announcement of the new Living Wage Rates (and London Living Wage rate from its tradition November announcement point at the beginning of the Living Wage week, to the earlier date of 22nd September 2022 as part of an initiative to support employees with the cost of living crisis.
Those employers who have committed themselves to be a Living Wage employer, have a period of 6 months to implement the announced rise.
The real Living Wage is based on the cost of living and is voluntarily paid by around 10,000 UK employers that believe we all need a wage that meets our everyday needs. Paying the Living Wage and being accredited can bring business benefits.
The rates have now been revealed as:
What about hours?
Millions of low paid workers are also struggling to get the hours they need to make ends meet. That’s why the Living Wage Foundation has also developed a new standard of what good looks like for those employers that can offer ‘Living Hours’ alongside a real Living Wage.
The solution: Living Hours alongside a real Living Wage
The Living Wage foundation has developed a new Living Hours standard that sets out what good looks like. It calls on employers to provide the right to:
- Decent notice periods for shifts: of at least 4 weeks’ notice, with guaranteed payment if shifts are cancelled within this notice period
- The right to a contract that reflects accurate hours worked
- A guaranteed minimum of 16 hours a week (unless the worker requests otherwise)
This will be underpinned by a new Living Hours accreditation programme with dedicated support for employers.
For more information on the real Living Wage and Living Hours and how to become accredited see the following resources:
PAYadvice.UK 3/9/2022 updates 22/9/2022
