London Living Wage Passes £30,000 a Year, Expanding Access to Learning

The London Living Wage has increased from £14.80 to £15.45 per hour, meaning more adults may now be eligible for funded adult learning and learner support.

Announced by the Living Wage Foundation on Thursday 15 October, the new rate is equivalent to £30,127.50 per year for a full-time worker based on a 37.5-hour week, taking the annual threshold above £30,000 for the first time.

For our courses funded through the Greater London Authority’s Adult Skills Fund, adults earning below the London Living Wage may be eligible for free or reduced-fee learning opportunities, subject to age, residency and other eligibility requirements. The increase means more Londoners could now fall within the earnings threshold for support.

The London Living Wage is also used as an income threshold for the WAES bursary scheme, which may help eligible learners with the costs of studying. Depending on individual circumstances, support may be available towards costs such as travel, childcare or essential course-related expenses.

Anyone who previously thought their income was too high to qualify for support may wish to check their eligibility again.