24 Aug 2022The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called on the government to increase the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates 'immediately' in order to guarantee decent living standards for families. Research carried out by the TUC found that UK poverty levels are 'likely to get worse' if ministers continue to hold down pay. Additional financial support for families announced by the Treasury this year will be offset by cuts to real-terms pay and other living costs, the business group added. The TUC has called for key workers to be given a fair pay rise to meet the costs of living; more funding for the public sector so that all outsourced workers are paid at least the real Living Wage; and a boost in Universal Credit to 80% of the Real Living Wage. Frances O'Grady, General Secretary of the TUC, said: 'After the longest wage squeeze in 200 years we urgently need to get more money in the pockets of working families. 'This will help people get through this cost-of-living crisis and inject much-needed demand into our economy.'