This week (10 to 16 November 2025) is Living Wage Week. It celebrates the Living Wage movement, and the positive impact it has on people’s lives.

Announced on 22 October, the real Living Wage has been set at £13.45 for the UK, and £14.80 for London. It is set independently by the Resolution Foundation, overseen by the Living Wage Commission, and calculated to reflect the cost of living.

It is paid voluntarily by over 75 organisations in Cambridge, ensuring staff are able to have a decent standard of living. This is good for Cambridge, leading to more money being spent locally, and a high-quality, better paid workforce.

The real Living Wage differs from the National Living Wage, which is set by the government and is currently £12.21 for adults aged 21 and over. A full-time worker earning the new, real Living Wage would earn £2,418 a year more than a worker earning the current government minimum.

In Cambridge, nearly 91% of jobs are paid the real Living Wage or above. That's more than the national average of almost 84%. However, that means there are still thousands of roles in Cambridge that are not paid enough to meet the cost of living.

Cambridge City Council have been Living Wage accredited for over a decade, since 2014.

Paying a Living Wage has helped businesses to improve their reputation, and attract and retain staff. 94% of Living Wage employers say their organisation has benefitted from becoming accredited. We encourage other employers in Cambridge to become accredited too.

If you are an organisation interested in Living Wage accreditation, contact equalities@cambridge.gov.uk.