WHAT IS THE REAL LIVING WAGE?
The real Living Wage for the
The real Living Wage is an independently calculated rate based on the cost of living and is paid voluntarily by employers. The rate is currently £12.60 and is calculated annually by The Resolution Foundation on an analysis of the wage that employees need to earn in order to afford the basket of goods required for a decent standard of living. This basket of goods includes housing, childcare, transport and heating costs.
The real Living Wage is different to the UK government’s National Living Wage which is not calculated according to what employees need to live on. The current rate is £12.60 (£13.85 in London) and applies to all employees aged 18 and over.
The real Living Wage & government minimum wage rates (Oct 2024)
| Real Living Wage (UK) | National Living Wage | National Minimum Wage | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18+ | 21+ | 18-20 | Under 18 | Apprentices |
| £12.60 | £11.44 | £8.60 | £6.40 | £6.40 |
"We consider accreditation as the most important contribution to tackling poverty across Dumfries and Galloway. We're proud to play our part in tackling this by delivering a real Living Wage to staff."
Ronnie Nicholson, Dumfries & Galloway Council
"It shows my employer cares about our well-being and makes me feel valued." Care Worker
"It's helped the business become more robust and able to weather challenges due to the dedication and commitment of staff."
Fiona Ford, Fords Daly Legal
We're here to help you if you have any questions about the real Living Wage or about becoming an accredited Living Wage employer.