More than five million people, including 1.3 million key workers, are paid less than the Real Living Wage, research reveals today.

And it shows some of those who have kept Britain running during the pandemic – including supermarket staff and carers – are on poverty pay.

The sectors with the most low-paid, insecure workers were wholesale, retail, and repair of vehicles, with 830,000 employees; plus health and social work with 640,000.

Eighteen per cent of black, Asian and ethnic minority workers were on less than the Real Living Wage compared to 15% of white workers, according to the study by the Living Wage Foundation and New Economics Foundation.

The sectors with the most low-paid, insecure workers were wholesale, retail, and repair of vehicles, with 830,000 employees; plus health and social work with 640,000 (file pic)

The latest Office for National Statistics labour figures are due out tomorrow, outlining the impact of the pandemic on employment.

But Living Wage Foundation director Katherine Chapman said: “Even before the crisis, millions of people were trapped and struggling to make ends meet.”

GMB union acting general secretary John Phillips called it a “travesty”.

The legal minimum rate – the National Living Wage – is £8.72 an hour, falling to £8.20 for those aged 21 to 24, and just £6.45 for those aged 18 to 20.

Deaths in UK hospitals so far: 32,387

Deaths across all settings: 41,698

(The two figures above count all people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS lab in the UK)

Total deaths registered so far: 46,421

(This is the number of registered deaths in England and Wales where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate)

Excess deaths (from March 21 to May 31): 63,596

(The number of deaths in England and Wales above the average amount, but not necessarily caused by Covid-19)

Sources: coronavirus.data.gov.uk and ONS

The Real Living Wage is £9.30 for all age groups, rising to £10.75 in London.

The Centre for Social Justice found lowest skilled workers face 1980s-style dole queues and called for improvements to the adult skills training system.

  • Unison claims that care homes are forcing staff to take unpaid leave or statutory sick pay if they have Covid-19 or have to self-isolate.



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