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Real Living Wage Rises to £14.10 in UK and £15.45 in London
In brief
The Living Wage Foundation announced on October 15 that the voluntary real Living Wage will rise by 65p to £14.10 an hour across the UK, a 4.8% increase, and by 65p to £15.45 in London, up 4.4%. Nearly 17,000 accredited employers are expected to pass the rise on to almost half a million workers.
What is the new real Living Wage? £14.10 an hour across the UK and £15.45 an hour in London, according to the Living Wage Foundation. Unlike the legal National Living Wage set by the government, this rate is voluntary and is calculated from the cost of living.
How much extra does it mean?
The foundation says a full-time worker moving to the new rate gains more than £1,250 a year. It also says the real Living Wage is worth more than £2,700 a year above the legal minimum for a full-time worker, and over £5,300 more in London. As a simple check, 37.5 hours a week for 52 weeks at £14.10 comes to about £27,495 before tax.
Who has to pay it?
Only employers who sign up and are accredited. The foundation says about one in seven employees now work for an accredited employer, while around 4.4 million workers are still paid below the real Living Wage. Accredited employers are asked to introduce the new rate as soon as possible and by May 1, 2027 at the latest.
Why is this year notable?
2026 marks 25 years since the living wage campaign began in east London. The legal minimum, the National Living Wage, is set separately by the government.
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Why it matters
Pay rates affect household budgets across the UK, and many large employers and councils follow the real Living Wage when setting hourly pay.
People also ask
Is the real Living Wage the law?
No. It is a voluntary rate paid by accredited employers. The legal minimum is the National Living Wage set by the government.
When must employers pay £14.10?
Accredited employers are asked to implement it by May 1, 2027.
Related free tools: Salary & Hourly Wage Calculator, Percentage Calculator
Sources
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