Real Living Wage
Following a formal application to the Living Wage Foundation, the University of Cambridge has been accredited as a Living Wage Employer. This ensures that wages for University staff and those of contractors who regularly work on University premises will never be lower than the independent benchmark set by the Living Wage Foundation.
Prior to being formally accredited as Living Wage employer, the University of Cambridge voluntarily paid the RLW to direct employees since 1st August 2014.
The Real Living Wage (RLW) is an hourly rate of pay set independently by the Living Wage Foundation (LWF) and usually updated annually in November each year. The rate is calculated annually by the Resolution Foundation and overseen by the Living Wage Commission, and is based on the best available evidence about living standards in London and the UK (https://www.livingwage.org.uk/calculation). The RLW was previously known as the Voluntary Living Wage (VLF)
The Living Wage Foundation has more detail on the current and historical RLW rates.
For any queries on the RLW accreditation project please contact the Reward team (CAMbens@admin.cam.ac.uk)
Explaining UK and Real Living Wage rates
|
|
National Minimum Wage |
National Living Wage |
Real Living Wage (post full accreditation) |
|
Legal status |
Statutory |
Statutory |
Voluntary |
|
Set by |
Government |
Government |
Living Wage Foundation |
|
Ages covered |
Ages up to 22 |
23 and over |
18 and over |
|
Current rate |
Under 18 - £5.28 18 to 20 - £7.49 21 to 22 - £10.18 |
£10.42 |
£12 |
|
Applies to |
Employees,
Workers |
Employees,
Workers |
Employees,
Workers Contractors/ sub contractors |
|
Any exclusions |
Apprentices*, Interns, contractors/ sub contractors |
Apprentices*, Interns, contractors/ sub contractors |
Apprentices and Interns |
*during the first year of the apprenticeship, after the first year the relevant age related rate applies.