BRIGHTON and Hove is one of the least affordable cities in the UK for those on minimum wage, a recent study has found.

The research, conducted by Investing Reviews, found the city has the highest monthly cost of living in South East England at £1,615.

Those aged over 23 on minimum wage in Brighton and Hove were found to borrow an average of £259 a month to cover their expenses.

This compares with Westminster, which placed first, where minimum wage workers borrow an average of £2,093 a month, with a monthly cost of living of £3,449.

By contrast, Bradford was ranked the most affordable city, with a cost of living of £1,015 per month and disposable income for minimum wage workers above 23 of £341.

Councillor David Gibson, co-finance lead and co-chairman of housing on Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “We are acutely aware that the national minimum wage is not a real living wage, and too often does not cover the cost of living, particularly in the South East.”

He added that nearly 750 local employers have signed up to the city’s Living Wage campaign, and called upon more businesses to join to “see the benefit of fair pay”.

Cllr Gibson noted the council’s efforts to provide more affordable housing and accommodation for the homeless and has lobbied the government for powers to introduce rent controls, and said that the council is developing a not-for-profit ethical lettings agency.

He said: “Council teams can also help those on low incomes, including through our council tax reduction scheme, and debt help and advice.

“Yet we are also in a position where regardless of the minimum wage, attempts to lift people out of poverty are undermined by national policy, including recent cuts to Universal Credit.

“On top of our broader campaign for a universal basic income, we will continue to push for the government to ensure a proper living wage, affordable housing and a social security system that truly lifts people out of poverty and for an end to punitive welfare cuts."

Full list of least affordable cities for those on minimum wage

  1. Westminster
  2. London
  3. St Albans
  4. Bath
  5. Brighton and Hove
  6. Edinburgh
  7. Durham
  8. Oxford
  9. Cambridge
  10. York

Full list of most affordable cities for those on minimum wage

  1. Bradford
  2. Stoke-on-Trent
  3. Kingston upon Hull
  4. Aberdeen
  5. Wakefield
  6. Gloucester
  7. Derby
  8. Worcester
  9. Dundee
  10. Sheffield

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