The Living Wage Technical Group has increased the rate of the Living Wage by 20c to €11.70 an hour.

In its latest report the group said the increase has been driven by changes in the cost of living and changes in the taxation system. It said the current housing crisis, and associated increases in rent levels, continues to be the main driver of the wage rate increasing for 2018. 

The Living Wage is an evidence based wage, centred on the concept that work should provide individuals with an adequate income to afford a socially acceptable standard of living.

The Living Wage, which now stands at €2.35 an hour more than the current minimum wage (€9.55), is derived from budgetary standards research, focusing on needs not wants.

It is constructed on the basis of a single adult household working 39 hours a week, and sees an income disparity of €91.65 on average per week, when comparing against the current minimum wage.

The technical group and its research is supported by the Nevin Economic Research Institute, SIPTU, Social Justice Ireland, TASC, Unite union and the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice.

Click here for more information on The Living Wage 2018.