There are a growing number of jobs outside London that pay less than the living wage, according to new research.
Twenty-three per cent of jobs outside the capital paid less than the living wage in 2014 - the amount determined by the Living Wage Foundation as an appropriate amount on which to live comfortably - up from 19% in 2013..
The living wage last year was £8.80 in London, and £7.65 for the rest of the UK.
The figures, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), showed that younger workers are more likely to be paid less than the living wage. Nearly six in 10 (58%) of jobs outside of London carried outside by 16-24 year olds paid less than the living wage. That figure dropped to 48% in London.
Accommodation and food businesses were the least likely to pay the living wage, with 65% of jobs in London and 70% for the rest of the UK paying less than their respective amounts.
A spokesman for the Living Wage Foundation said: "Despite significant progress in many sectors, more jobs than ever are below the voluntary living wage rates that we recommend.
"These figures demonstrate that while the economy may be recovering as a whole, there is a real problem with ensuring everyone benefits, and low pay in still prevalent in Britain today."
