Living wage increase set to make existence slightly less unaffordable

Economic News: The living wage rate for some workers is set to increase by 25p an hour, making the price of existence slightly less unaffordable.

“This is good news for millions of workers across the U.K,” said a spokesman for the Living Wage Foundation. “Now people will just feel crushed by debt instead of completely overwhelmed by it.”

It’s hoped that an increase in the living wage, established in 2005, will also mean people can now spend slightly less time working in order to not afford to exist.

“Now I only have to work really long hours to make ends meet, instead of incredibly long hours,” said David Keyes, a call centre worker from Birkenhead. “I’ll treasure the extra five minutes a day this gives me to worry over which bills I can’t afford to pay.”

Others spoke of the emotional benefits a raise in the living wage will have on them. Tony Rubo, a binman from Yeovil in Somerset said, “I imagine I’ll be reduced to tears by crippling financial worry by at least three to four percent less.”

Story: Simon Swatman