New Real and London Living Wage rates announced

The Living Wage Foundation has announced increases to the rates of the Real Living Wage and London Living Wage for 2024-25.

The Real Living Wage across the UK now stands at £12.60 per hour – a rise of 60p or 5% from the previous year. Meanwhile, the London Living Wage is now £13.85 an hour – up by 70p or 5.3% from 2023-24.

These living wages are voluntary rates, independently calculated, which account for the cost of living.

In contrast, the government’s National Living Wage is the legal minimum that employers must pay their staff.

Following an updated remit, the Low Pay Commission (LPC) stated in September that their central estimate for the 2025-26 National Living Wage was £12.10 per hour. However, they noted that this estimate “may continue to rise over the rest of the year because earnings growth in 2024 so far has been stronger than forecast.” They are due to make their recommendations on the National Living Wage rate to the government before the end of October.