The new rates
The Real Living Wage is now £14.10 an hour across the UK and £15.45 an hour in London. Accredited employers have until 1 May 2027 to pay the new rates. It is voluntary, unlike the statutory National Living Wage, which has been £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over since 1 April 2026.
What it means for cleaning budgets
Wages are the largest part of a cleaning price, so a contractor paying the Real Living Wage will charge more than one paying the statutory minimum. The gap is £1.39 an hour outside London before on-costs such as holiday pay, National Insurance and pensions are added.
Why many buyers choose it anyway
Higher pay tends to mean lower staff turnover. On a cleaning contract that shows up as fewer missed tasks, cleaners who know the building, and less time spent training replacements. For many buyers, that is worth the extra cost.
What to do now
- Ask your contractor what it pays and whether it is accredited
- Check how your contract handles wage-driven price reviews
- Budget for the change when planning next year's facilities costs
Our commercial cleaning costs guide explains how wage rates feed through to hourly and monthly prices.