Should employers be forced to pay the 'living wage'?
As it was revealed that one in five British workers earns below the so-called 'living wage' , we ask if you think companies should be forced to pay their employees more.
Using the most recent figures available the study found 25% of women and 15% of men were paid below the living wage in April last year, when the benchmark was calculated as £7.20 an hour outside London and £8.30 in the capital.
In total 4.8 million Britons - 20% of employees - were paid at a level below the rate deemed necessary for a basic standard of living, an increase from 3.4 million in 2009.
Unlike the minimum wage, it is up to employers to decide whether their staff are paid the living wage, which is currently £7.45 an hour or £8.55 in London.
Should employers be forced to pay the 'living wage'? Vote in our poll below and have your say in the comments section:
