london - the poverty trap
WORKERS, MAY 2005 ISSUE
Analysis by London trade unions, the Greater London Authority, the Mayor's Office and the London Citizens Organisation has arrived at a "living wage" for London — the absolute minimum you need simply to exist — of £6.70p an hour. Including benefits and tax credits this figure rises to £8.10p per hour. The national minimum wage rises in October to £5.05p per hour.
The analysis shows that 170,000 full-time workers in London receive less than a living wage (£6.70p) but above the official poverty wage threshold of £5.80p. Another 230,000 part-time workers receive wages less than the poverty wage threshold. This means one in seven of London's workers receive poverty-level pay — not counting those paid below the minimum wage.