What is the real Living Wage?

The real living wage, calculated by the Living Wage Foundation, currently stands at £12 and is the only UK wage rate based on the cost of living. 

Currently, around 1 in 5 jobs in Greater Manchester – roughly 200,000 – pay less than the real living wage.

While the rate in some boroughs is better, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Trafford and Wigan are all below the UK average for jobs that pay at least the real Living Wage. 

It’s also a problem that disproportionately affects women who make up 59.5% of workers earning less that the real Living Wage, while in Greater Manchester 38.2% of Black/Black British workers and 34.8% of Asian/Asian British workers are in low pay.