Supermarket chain Morrisons have announced that they will pay staff a minimum of £8.20 per hour from March.
This is up from Morrisons' current minimum of £6.83 per hour and will benefit more than 90,000 staff.
The increase will apply to staff of all ages. Morrisons will make an extra investment of more than £40m in the improved hourly pay rate.
Rhys Moore, Director, Living Wage Foundation said:
We are delighted that Morrisons will be paying wage rates that go above and beyond the legal minimums. Their commitment to paying a Living Wage to their staff is a huge move in the retail sector, showing others that they, along with retailers such as Lidl, Ikea and Oliver Bonas, can make better pay a reality on the British high street. We encourage other retailers to follow suit, and join more than 1,800 other businesses that recognise the Living Wage as a mark of responsible business. Earlier this year campaigners from Citizens UK and ShareAction raised the issue of low pay at the Morrison's AGM. It's good to know that their voice, along with customers, trades unions and staff, has been listened to and acted upon with more than just warm words. We look forward to working with Morrisons and encourage them to accredit as Living Wage employers.
The Living Wage is currently £7.85 per hour across the UK and £9.15 in London. New rates will be announced during Living Wage Week in November.