Retail Trade Union Welcomes Changes, Calls for £15 per Hour for Over-18s
- 6.7% increase in real Living Wage announced by Living Wage Foundation
- New rates for over-18s set at £13.45 per hour and £14.80 in London
- Retail trade union Usdaw welcomes the change
- Labour’s changes to Low Pay Commission focus on cost of living
- Usdaw calls for £15 per hour for all workers over 18
- Employers urged to reflect cost of living in base pay negotiations
The Living Wage Foundation has announced a 6.7% increase to the real Living Wage, which has been welcomed by retail trade union Usdaw. The uplift makes the new rates for over-18s £13.45 per hour and £14.80 in London. Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas said: ‘The new real Living Wage rates are a welcome boost for the lowest-paid workers.’ Labour changed the remit of the Low Pay Commission, so that they take account of the cost of living and work towards ending rip-off youth rates. Usdaw calls on the Government to announce a substantial increase in statutory rates to help close the gap with the real Living Wage. The trade union also urges employers to negotiate increases in their base pay to reflect the cost of living. In September, Usdaw urged peers to back the Employment Rights Bill after the Government rejected all House of Lords amendments to the bill. The Bill – which includes changes to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave, sick pay, and whistleblowing protections for sexual harassment – is likely to become law at the end of this year, with most aspects implemented in 2026 or 2027.
Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and relevant information about the increase in the real Living Wage, quotes from Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas, and mentions the call for a clear path towards £15 per hour for all workers aged over 18. It also discusses the Employment Rights Bill and Paddy Lillis’s departure from the trade union. The article is focused on the main topic without any significant digressions or opinion masquerading as fact.
Noise Level: 4
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about a wage increase and its impact on low-paid workers, as well as mentions the call for further improvements in labor rights. However, it contains some repetitive elements and lacks in-depth analysis or actionable insights.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Labour’s changes to the remit of the Low Pay Commission and potential increases in statutory rates may impact companies’ labor costs
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses an increase in the real Living Wage, which can affect companies’ expenses related to employee salaries. Additionally, it mentions Labour’s changes to the Low Pay Commission and a call for substantial increases in statutory rates, both of which could impact businesses’ financial situations.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article.
www.retailgazette.co.uk