The cost of living in London and the UK has reached a 30-year high with inflation at 5.4 per cent. Meanwhile, the National Living Wage is not calculated according to what employees and their families need to live on.
The London Assembly has today called on the Chair of the London Assembly to write to the Chancellor urging him to increase the National Living Wage to make it a real living wage in April, to support Londoners with the cost of living.
Elly Baker AM, who proposed the motion said:
“Londoners are facing the perfect storm of skyrocketing energy bills, surging costs of everyday essentials and a looming National Insurance hike.
“The cost of living crisis makes efforts to eradicate in-work poverty even more urgent.
"I welcome the Mayor’s commitment to make London a Living Wage City - all Londoners deserve a real living wage.
“The Government’s National Living Wage should be calculated according to what employees and their families actually need to live on, yet it is still under ten pounds an hour.”
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly notes that the cost of living in London and the UK has reached a 30-year high with inflation at 5.4 per cent. Meanwhile, the National Living Wage is not calculated according to what employees and their families need to live on. This means that Londoners are paying more for the essentials.
This Assembly welcomes the Mayor’s commitment to making London a Living Wage City.
This Assembly calls on the Chair of the Assembly to write to the Chancellor and urge him to increase the National Living Wage to make it a real living wage in April to support Londoners with the rising cost of living.
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed by 14 votes for and 8 against.
- Elly Baker AM who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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