Living Wage in London rising to £9.40 an hour

The Living Wage in London is going up to £9.40 an hour, well above the rate being brought in by the Government next year.

The capital's Mayor, Boris Johnson, announced a 25p rise to the voluntary rate in London and urged employers to pay it.

The National Living Wage outside London is increasing by 40p an hour to £8.25.

Many workers will have more money in their pockets as a result of the changes

Both figures are well above the national minimum wage of £6.70 an hour and the planned new National Living Wage of £7.20 for adults from next April.

The number of firms paying the Living Wage in London has increased from 429 to 724 in the past year.

Mr Johnson said that paying the voluntary rate was a "point of pride".

Announcing the new rate in an Oliver Bonas store he said : "It is a mark of esteem companies have for their staff.

"As our economy continues to grow and employment on London increases it is essential all hard-working Londoners receive a fair share of the proceeds of the capital's success. "

The Mayor said paying the Living Wage made staff feel valued.

Oliver Tress, managing director of Oliver Bonas, said: "It makes complete sense to pay all our team the London Living Wage."

Paul Kenny, GMB general secretary, said the new London Living Wage proved that the rate coming in for adults next year was a "sham".