Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas has called for substantial increases in statutory minimum wage rates following the latest rise in the voluntary real Living Wage.
The Living Wage Foundation announced rates of £14.10 an hour outside London and £15.45 in London on 15 October, increases of 4.8% and 4.4% respectively.
Thomas welcomed the announcement and urged ministers to narrow the gap between statutory rates and wages calculated around living costs.
She also argued that reliable weekly hours matter alongside hourly pay. Usdaw wants the promised right to guaranteed-hours contracts to cover every worker who regularly works additional hours.
Thomas said stronger employment protections could improve security while preventing employers with poor practices from undercutting responsible businesses.
The real Living Wage is voluntary and separate from the government's legally enforceable National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage.
