The number of people earning less than a Living Wage has increased to more than 5 million.
The number of people in the UK earning less than a Living Wage has grown by 8% in the past year, according to new research by KPMG, from 4.8million to 5.2million.
The number of children living in households earning less than the Living Wage has increased from 1.82million to 1.96million, according to new research by Save the Children.
KPMG and Save the Children are Principal Partners of the Living Wage Foundation, the body which accredits Living Wage Employers.
The new research comes at the start of Living Wage Week, with the new Living Wage rates to be announced first thing on Monday morning.
The London rate will be announced by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson and the UK rate will be announced by Bishop of Nottingham Paul Butler.
Rhys Moore, Director of the Living Wage Foundation said: "With working poverty on the rise, paying a living wage is becoming a must for every responsible employer. We are working with businesses across the UK to help them do the right thing, so that from the CEO to the cleaner, hard work pays."
The Living Wage Foundation is an initiative of Citizens UK. Citizens UK started the Living Wage campaign in 2001.
Neil Jameson, Director of Citizens UK, said "This research shows that more hard working families are struggling to get by. This is the week for every employer to consider how you treat your lowest paid staff. The cleaner, the shop assistant and the care worker deserve a Living Wage which allows them to live and not just survive."
Notes to Editors:
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The Living Wage Foundation is supported by eight Principal Partners who provide strategic and financial support. They are: KPMG, Save the Children, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Queen Mary University London, Aviva, Trust for London, Linklaters and Resolution Foundation.
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The Living Wage is independently set each year, according to the basic cost of living in the UK. It is updated annually and employers choose to pay the rate voluntarily.
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The London Living Wage rate is calculated by the GLA's Living Wage Unit, with cross-party support. It is updated on a yearly basis, calculating a 'poverty threshold wage' and adding a 15 percent margin to ensure that the recipients do not fall to the level of poverty wages
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The UK Living Wage rate (ie outside London) is calculated annually by the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University, with funding from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
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In 2012 London hosted the first Living Wage Olympics as every member of staff employed on the Olympic site
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There are now 430 accredited Living Wage Employers.
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30,000 people set to benefit as new Living Wage rates announced on Monday 4th November.
Media enquiries to:
Stefan Baskerville, Citizens UK
Email: Stefan.baskerville@citizensuk.org
Mobile: 07952 694 651
Or
Matthew Bolton, Citizens UK
Email: matthew.Bolton@citizensuk.org
Mobile: 07861 380 058