Usdaw welcomes 6.7% rise in real Living Wage

Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed a 6.7% increase in the real Living Wage, describing it as “a welcome boost for the lowest-paid workers”.

It comes as the Living Wage Foundation announced yesterday (22 October) that the new rates will rise to £13.45 per hour across the UK and £14.80 in London.

While the union supports the uplift, it still urges the government to deliver a “substantial increase” in statutory minimum rates to narrow the gap with the real Living Wage. 

Joanne Thomas, general secretary of Usdaw, said: “The new real Living Wage rates are a welcome boost for the lowest-paid workers. On taking power, Labour changed the remit of the Low Pay Commission so that they take account of the cost of living and work towards ending rip-off youth rates. We call on the Government to again announce a substantial increase in statutory rates to help close the gap with the real Living Wage.

“Usdaw is calling for a clear path towards £15 per hour for all workers aged over 18, and we call on employers to take notice of the new rates and negotiate increases in their base pay to reflect the cost of living.”

She added: “Labour is delivering the new deal for workers that Usdaw long campaigned for. The Employment Rights Bill will help secure economic growth by improving productivity and stop rogue employers undercutting those who treat their staff properly, while giving workers security, respect and the decency of an income they can live on.”

Usdaw – the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers – is the UK’s fifth largest trade union, representing about 360,000 members across retail, transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical and other industries.