The number of Britons on poverty pay is expected to reach 5.1million next year

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The number of Britons earning less than the actual living wage is set to rise to 5.1 million next year, according to new research shared with The Independent .

Around 3.5 million workers are currently earning less than the actual living wage - the sum voluntarily paid by thousands of UK employers based on what people need to pay living expenses. base.

But the living The Wage Foundation predicts that an additional 1.6 million people will be pushed into poverty rates by the spring of 2023 as wages cannot keep pace with the soaring inflation.

That means 5.1 million workers, or one in five jobs in the UK. - will earn less than they need to live on, the foundation said.

Katherine Chapman, director of the Living Wage Foundation, said: "Our forecast shows a bleak picture for the next year, with an estimated 5.1 million workers expected to be paid below the actual living wage."

She added, "With the rising cost of living and families facing more pressure this winter, it's never been more important for businesses to do the right thing and commit to paying a real living wage."

Real Living Wage - slightly above the minimum wage government statutory and paid voluntarily by over 11,000 employers - stands at £11.95 in London and £10.90 in the rest of the UK

This voluntary rate has been increased by 10.1% in September, roughly in line with inflation, in recognition of the steep rise in the cost of living over the past year.

But the Li ving Wage Foundation said the lingering inflation problem meant that in April around 1.6 million workers would have been sucked into poverty pay rates - below what they need to pay their bills.

Employees must pay national minimum wage rates of between £4.81 and £9.18 from the school leaving age until the age of 23, while workers aged 23 or over must be paid a minimum wage of £9.50 an hour – renamed the 'living national unrest' by the government in 2016.

However, the living wage real is set independently. "Real living wages must continue to be at the heart of solutions to tackle the cost of living crisis," Ms Chapman said.

This comes as the TUC and union leaders have warned Rishi Sunak and his Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to protect the public...