how much is the Living Wage?

The Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University has been developing a methodology to set and uprate a Living Wage outside London, based its on Minimum Income Standard research. In 2010 they published a figure of £7.60 outside of London and Scotland.

A new method has been adopted to ensure compatibility with the way in which the Living Wage is being calculated in London, and so a new lower figure of £7.20 an hour outside London was launched in May 2011 by the Living Wage Foundation. This will be uprated annually.

Church Action on Poverty is continuing to campaign for churches and other employers to pay a Living Wage of £7.60 until the new method produces a higher figure. Church Action on Poverty will then use the Living Wage Foundation figures on the new basis. Scotland and London calculate the local Living Wage independently - £7.20 and £8.30 respectively.