John Hannett – Usdaw General Secretary said: “The National Living Wage rate of £7.50 has provided an increase for some of the lowest paid workers, but this alone will not end the scourge of in-work poverty. It is simply a legal minimum payable to over 25s sitting alongside the National Minimum Wage for younger workers.

“We expect employers to be looking beyond statutory basic rates of pay and that is why we welcome the input of the Living Wage Foundation. Their Living Wage rates are properly researched and reflect the hourly rate workers need to make ends meet and provide a good benchmark for the pay bargaining agenda.

“A real Living Wage for all workers is our objective, but improving hourly rates alone is not enough. We need look at all aspects of the pay package and availability of hours, to help provide workers with a weekly income that they can live on.”

Notes for editors:

Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 20% in the decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the Union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion