These organisations employ over half a million people and, through their accreditation with the Living Wage Foundation, have uplifted the pay of more than 50,000 low paid workers.

The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated based on what people need to live on. It currently stands at £12.60 (UK) and £13.85 (London).

Citizens UK and The Living Wage Foundation have led the campaign for a real Living Wage for Social Care, calling on the Government in England to ensure all social care workers are paid at least the real Living Wage for all hours worked, including in-work travel time and sleep-in shifts, by putting in place sufficient funding, delivery mechanisms and guidance for local authorities.

Matthew Bolton, executive director of Citizens UK, said: ‘Care workers, like all workers, deserve to be paid at least the real Living Wage. The work they do is vital and skilled, yet so many care workers are being paid poverty wages that barely allow them to survive, let alone live. We know that it doesn't have to be this way.

‘Whilst we're calling on Government in England to ensure care workers are given the dignity of a real Living Wage, we're also urging employers to do the right thing by accrediting with the Living Wage Foundation. Over 1,000 health and social care employers have already made this commitment, and we know more businesses can step up and join them.'