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| Living wage 'should go to one million more workers' | Living wage 'should go to one million more workers' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The UK government should make it a goal to cut the number of low paid workers by one million by 2020, says the Living Wage Commission. | |
| Its chairman, Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has recommended a series of "low cost" moves to tackle low pay. | |
| The commission is an independent body bringing together names from business, trade unions and civil society. | The commission is an independent body bringing together names from business, trade unions and civil society. |
| It says action is needed because, "for the first time, the majority of people in poverty in the UK are working". | It says action is needed because, "for the first time, the majority of people in poverty in the UK are working". |
| 'Beacon of hope' | 'Beacon of hope' |
| The commission's definition of a living wage is "an hourly rate of income calculated according to a basic cost of living in the UK and defined as the minimum amount of money needed to enjoy a basic, but socially acceptable standard of living". | The commission's definition of a living wage is "an hourly rate of income calculated according to a basic cost of living in the UK and defined as the minimum amount of money needed to enjoy a basic, but socially acceptable standard of living". |
| In 2014 the UK living wage rate stands at £7.65 an hour, and the London living wage is set at a higher rate of £8.80 per hour, to take account of the higher cost of living in the capital. | In 2014 the UK living wage rate stands at £7.65 an hour, and the London living wage is set at a higher rate of £8.80 per hour, to take account of the higher cost of living in the capital. |
| By contrast, the national minimum wage currently stands at £6.31 an hour. | By contrast, the national minimum wage currently stands at £6.31 an hour. |
| The commission says there needs to be "an even distribution" between the public and private sectors, with regards to the one million workers its envisages as being raised to the living wage. | The commission says there needs to be "an even distribution" between the public and private sectors, with regards to the one million workers its envisages as being raised to the living wage. |
| Its research shows that there are currently 558 employers across the UK accredited as paying a living wage. | Its research shows that there are currently 558 employers across the UK accredited as paying a living wage. |
| The commission says the starting point for national government needs to be "a commitment to ensure all directly employed public sector staff are paid a living wage". | The commission says the starting point for national government needs to be "a commitment to ensure all directly employed public sector staff are paid a living wage". |
| Meanwhile, services such as accountancy, banks and construction firms could boost the pay of 375,000 workers if they agreed to pay the national living wage. | Meanwhile, services such as accountancy, banks and construction firms could boost the pay of 375,000 workers if they agreed to pay the national living wage. |
| "Working and still living in poverty is a national scandal," said Dr Sentamu. | "Working and still living in poverty is a national scandal," said Dr Sentamu. |
| "For the first time, the majority of people in poverty in the UK are now in working households. The campaign for a living wage has been a beacon of hope for the millions of workers on low wages struggling to make ends meet. | "For the first time, the majority of people in poverty in the UK are now in working households. The campaign for a living wage has been a beacon of hope for the millions of workers on low wages struggling to make ends meet. |
| "If the government now commits to making this hope a reality, we can take a major step towards ending the strain on all of our consciences. Low wages equals living in poverty." | "If the government now commits to making this hope a reality, we can take a major step towards ending the strain on all of our consciences. Low wages equals living in poverty." |
| 'Transition' | 'Transition' |
| Dr Adam Marshall, director of policy and external affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce, said many firms were returning to economic growth, looking at raising pay levels "after a tough period for business". | Dr Adam Marshall, director of policy and external affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce, said many firms were returning to economic growth, looking at raising pay levels "after a tough period for business". |
| He said firms should be supported and encouraged to help pay their staff the living wage, but without "facing compulsion or regulation, which could lead to job losses and difficulties - particularly for younger people entering the labour market". | He said firms should be supported and encouraged to help pay their staff the living wage, but without "facing compulsion or regulation, which could lead to job losses and difficulties - particularly for younger people entering the labour market". |
| He added: "Some businesses simply cannot afford to pay a living wage just yet - which is why the commission rejected a compulsory living wage. | He added: "Some businesses simply cannot afford to pay a living wage just yet - which is why the commission rejected a compulsory living wage. |
| "The task now is to support as many employers as possible to make this transition, because paying the living wage can benefit employers as well as their staff." | "The task now is to support as many employers as possible to make this transition, because paying the living wage can benefit employers as well as their staff." |
| Do you earn below the living wage? You can email your experiences to Haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject Living Wage. |