What is low pay in the UK?

In the UK, low pay is defined in relation to the median hourly earnings, specifically as earning less than two-thirds of this median. As of April 2024, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) set the low pay threshold at £11.39 per hour, which is slightly below the government-mandated minimum wage of £11.44 per hour. This indicates that individuals earning below this threshold are considered to be in low-paid employment. The government has made strides to address low pay, having reached its low pay target, but the fact that the ONS threshold is still below the minimum wage highlights ongoing concerns about wage adequacy and the cost of living. This situation underscores the challenges faced by workers who may be earning just above the low pay threshold yet still struggle to meet their basic needs, reflecting broader issues of income inequality and economic security in the UK.