Last month the Mayor agreed with London Assembly Member Jenny Jones that paying the living wage to more workers would reduce the benefit bill by ending the need for tax credits and other top-ups.
Ms Jones has today called on the Mayor to press for a mandatory living wage to achieve this, starting with medium and big businesses.
Speaking on Wednesday, Ms Jones said: “London’s economy isn’t working for the 700,000 people on poverty pay. Everyone should earn enough to build a life on, covering their basic living costs and giving them time to see their family and be involved in their community.
“Paying everyone a living wage would slash the benefit bill, freeing up billions over the next few years for the Mayor to invest in job creation schemes like housing and renewables. This could help to offset any extra unemployment created.”
