Five million paid less than Living Wage, says KPMG

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20104177

One in five workers in the UK is paid less than required for a basic standard of living, a report has claimed.
The proportion is much higher among waiters and bar staff, at up to 90% of workers, the research for accountants KPMG suggested.
It claimed that nearly five million people failed to command the Living Wage - a pay packet that enabled a basic standard of living.
The rate stands at £8.30 an hour in London and £7.20 in the rest of the UK.
This rate is voluntary, unlike the National Minimum Wage - the amount that employers must pay by law, which is set at £6.19 an hour for those aged 21 and over.

Seems an appalling situation.I can see why so many ask for top up benefits under these conditions.

Is there any way for the state to assist those in this situation?

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Is there any way for the state to assist those in this situation?

Raise the minimum wage?

Families will get tax credits single people will not.

With incentives to work like this is it a wonder people stay on the dole or stay on the sick as long as they can?

The whole situation with the poor in this country is getting worse and worse. I sit in my coat to try and save some gas I even turn my pc off during the day now lol the gap between the lower class and the middle class is getting wider and wider and its wrong the menial workers are what keeps the country running smoothly they do real work not like bankers and businessmen who work purely for capitalism

[Taf]

Whilst bosses know that any shortfall in a decent wage will be made up by HMG with our tax money, they won't feel obliged to increase basic wages.

The minimum wage should be a living wage, otherwise it's pointless.

Originally Posted by Taf

Whilst bosses know that any shortfall in a decent wage will be made up by HMG with our tax money, they won't feel obliged to increase basic wages.

The minimum wage should be a living wage, otherwise it's pointless.

exactly

[Jimmy-J]

If the employers paid their staff a decent wage, there would be no need for the extra strain on the benefits system.

I think the NMW should be set at a rate that is deemed the amount needed for a decent standard of living. I know there are those who will say that if you raise it that much firms will leave and we won't have jobs but that argument was used against bringing in the NMW originally and it didn't happen. British workers are worth their money and i think more firms know that and would be prepared to pay a little more to keep them but as has been said why do it when the benefit system has widened to supporting in work people.

This is yet another area of our society that shouldn't be handled by short term politicians who misuse the benefit system come election time as a sort of bribe fund bringing more people into some form of state money and it is long past time for it to stop. Also by paying that extra it would widen the gap between working and the benefit system encouraging many to leave benefit and get into work which is what our current government constantly bangs on about but does nothing of real practical benefit to actually achieve.

[v0id]

Originally Posted by Damien

Raise the minimum wage?

..and prices will go up to compensate like they usually do every year.

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

Many of the workers on the NMW are in the hospitality business, raising those wages would up the cost of hotels, pubs, restaraunts. Let's hope those advocating the increase of the NMW to a living wage are happy to pay the extra for their outings, rooms and meals.

Oh no they better stay poor and struggle then ( sarcastic tone off)

---------- Post added at 09:03 ---------- Previous post was at 08:59 ----------

Originally Posted by v0id

..and prices will go up to compensate like they usually do every year.

they find reasons for prices to go up anyway. Multi million pound profit making companies still put prices up because of extra costs just to keep the shareholder happy.Look at what EDF are increasing their rates by

1.6 billion profits £427 per houshold yet they still can not swallow up costs as they call it and are increasing their standard tarriff by over 10%

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

Many of the workers on the NMW are in the hospitality business, raising those wages would up the cost of hotels, pubs, restaraunts. Let's hope those advocating the increase of the NMW to a living wage are happy to pay the extra for their outings, rooms and meals.

I think they should be compensated for the uncongenial working hours as it is.I'm more than willing to ensure someone has a living wage myself because I would expect everyone to reciprocate to ensure that everyone who works gets a living wage.

If they are genuine about getting people off benefits that is.

[Osem]

Wonder if KPMG employ people (directly or indirectly) who're paid less than a living wage?

Originally Posted by Osem

Wonder if KPMG employ people (directly or indirectly) who're paid less than a living wage?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KPMG

The US branch of KPMG was rated one of the top 10 companies for working mothers] It is also ranked No. 56 on Fortune Magazine's list of 100 Best Companies to Work For, voted for by employees

Mind they have been sued by a few firms..and investigated and charged on a couple of occasions.