A disturbing article from the BBC has discovered that about five million people in the UK are earning lower than the “Living Wage” – this is different from the minimum wage (and higher) because it gauges what a person needs to earn in order to sustain themselves in a basic yet adequate way.
The research, published by accountants KPMG, are an apt reflection of the general economic climate with wages having been depressed since the start of the economic downturn. “Times are difficult for many people, but of course those on the lowest pay are suffering the most” said Marianne Fallon of KPMG.
Geographically, Northern Ireland and Wales had the largest portion of the population earning below the living wage with 24% and 23% respectively.