Real Living Wage: Employers must have uplifted pay by 1 May to Retain Accreditation
Stephanie Pote · Posted on: June 27th 2025 · read
While not a legal requirement, the Real Living Wage remains a benchmark of good employment practice for thousands of accredited employers across the UK.
Set by the Living Wage Foundation, it reflects the true cost of living and is voluntarily adopted by businesses committed to fair pay.
In the latest update, accredited employers must ensure that qualifying employees are paid at least £12.60 per hour across the UK and £13.85 in London by 1 May 2025 in order to maintain their accreditation status.
These new rates were announced in October 2024, giving employers a six-month window to implement the increases. The uplift reflects rising living costs, including housing, energy, food and transport — areas where inflation has had a disproportionate impact on lower-paid workers.
Employers that fail to meet the deadline risk losing their accreditation, which could affect reputation, recruitment appeal, and alignment with ESG or social value commitments. For organisations that promote themselves as responsible employers, compliance with the Real Living Wage is more than a badge — it's a public statement of values.
MHA HR Solutions can assist with reviewing your pay structure and compliance with Real Living Wage criteria; Communication strategies for internal rollouts and Policy updates to reflect voluntary pay commitments.
If you're unsure how these changes apply to your business, or need help with implementation, our HR Solutions team is here to support you.
