Business

Over one million public sector staff paid below 'real' living wage

More than a million UK public sector workers are paid below the voluntary living wage
More than a million UK public sector workers are paid below the voluntary living wage More than a million UK public sector workers are paid below the voluntary living wage

MORE than a million UK public sector workers are paid below the voluntary living wage, including council and Government employees and NHS and university staff, a study suggests.

The Living Wage Foundation said its research also indicated strong public support for public sector workers to be paid the rate of £9 an hour and £10.55 in London, which is higher than the statutory minimum of £7.83 for adults.

The report said a total of 1.2 million public sector workers and those on outsourced contracts were paid below the voluntary rate, including 638,000 in local government, 335,000 in health authorities and the NHS, and 98,000 in universities.

A survey of 1,000 adults found that almost two-thirds believed public sector workers should be paid the higher figure.

Lola McEvoy, head of campaigns at the Living Wage Foundation, said: "It's simply wrong that our teaching assistants, cleaners, carers and catering staff, paid on public money, are struggling to keep their heads above water on wages that don't meet basic living costs.

"The public support this, politicians support this, the Treasury would benefit from this. It's time for our public institutions to lead by example and join nearly 5,000 employers who pay the real living wage."

There are almost 5,000 businesses across the UK who pay their staff the so-called real living wage, including more than 100 local authorities and 33 universities.