Facts

In an interview with the BBC, Boris Johnson claimed that he had raised the living wage by a record amount. 

In fact, the recent rise to the living wage was the lowest increase since the policy was first introduced. 

The National Living wage, which sets a legal minimum wage for workers across the UK aged 23 and over, has increased every year since it was introduced by David Cameron’s government in 2016. 

In April 2021, the Living Wage rose by 2.2 per cent. In April 2020, the rise was nearly three times larger at 6.2 per cent. In 2019, the boost was 5 per cent. 

But Johnson responded:  “I'm proud that we've pumped up the living wage, we continue to increase the living wage last time by a record amount.. “

Verdict

A flagrant lie. To quote the sober analysis from Channel 4 FactCheck “Mr Johnson’s claim that the most recent rise in the Living Wage was the highest ever doesn’t add up. In April 2021, the Living Wage rose by 2.2 per cent compared to the previous year. But in April 2020, the rise was nearly three times larger at 6.2 per cent. And in 2019, the boost was 5 per cent. In fact, the most recent rise was the lowest increase in the National Living Wage since the policy was first introduced.” [our italics]

As usual we sent this verdict to Boris Johnson for comment. No response.