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<p>We have encouraged employers by publicly expressing our support for paying the
Living Wage when it is affordable and not at the expense of jobs.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><p>To encourage higher living standards we have: raised the personal allowance
providing an additional £700 in employee’s pay packets, increased the National Minimum
Wage year-on-year despite the worst recession in living memory and on October 1<sup>st</sup>
2014 increased the minimum wage in real terms for the first time since 2007. The Low
Pay Commission has reported that real increases are set to continue each year providing
the economy continues to grow.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Finally, recent employment
growth means that there are now more people in work than ever before providing welcome
opportunities for those seeking work.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>According to the
2014 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings there are around 5.7 million paid below the
Living Wage or 22.7 per cent of workers.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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