Nearly six million jobs, and almost a quarter of jobs outside London, pay less than the living wage, according to a report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The statistics show that the proportion of jobs paying less than needed for an “adequate” standard of living has increased, with those aged between 18 and 24 the most often paid below the guideline rates.
In 2014, young adults in London were paid less than the living wage 48% of time, and 58% for those outside of London.
Across all age groups, London, the South East, and Scotland had the lowest proportion of below living wage jobs at 19%, while Northern Ireland had the highest at 29%.
The living wage, a level of pay determined by the Living Wage Foundation to offer an “adequate” standard of living, was found to be was £8.80 an hour in London and £7.65 an hour outside London in April 2014, when the job data statistics were compiled.
The living wage has since risen to £9.15 an hour in London and £7.85 an hour outside London.
The living wage is a voluntary guideline, and different to the legally binding national minimum wage, which is currently £6.70 per hour for those over the age of 21.
In his July Budget, Chancellor George Osborne announced a new National Living Wage, which in reality is a rebranding of the minimum wage, and will be set at £7.20 per hour for those over the age of 25 from April 2016. This rate remains substantially below the real living wage, and leaves out those aged under 25, but has been used as an argument to strip back working-age benefits.
