A fifth of Londoners are still paid less than the London Living Wage, it was revealed today, as Caroline Russell AM backed a call for the Mayor to review pay in the hospitality sector.
Caroline Russell AM supported a motion in the London Assembly this week for the Mayor to undertake an evidence-led review of the benefits to the hospitality sector of paying the London Living Wage. [2]
Although the five year increase in low pay has halted, the overall picture is bleak.
The New Policy Institute’s report revealed that over the last decade the proportion of full-time low paid jobs has increased from 6% to 12%.
Caroline said:
“This new analysis shows the shocking extent of low pay in London, affecting especially those living in the outer boroughs.
“The London Living Wage is just enough to scrape by, but as 21% of Londoners earn less than this, these Londoners are probably not even scraping by.
“London may be ‘the greatest city in the world’ but for the 64% of Londoners working in the hotel and restaurant sector suffering in-work poverty it’s certainly not.
“Businesses have an ethical duty to pay employees properly and if they did they might find out that it’s good for business, helps recruit and retain staff, reduces sick leave and boosts staff morale and productivity.
“I congratulate the Mayor on his recent work to ensure all contractor staff paid by TfL receive fair pay and he should continue to encourage businesses to sign up to the London Living Wage.”
Notes to editors
The full report by New Policy Institute – funded by Trust for London – is available here:
http://www.londonspovertyprofile.org.uk/news/5-year-rise-in-low-pay-in-london-finally-halts/