‘It’s sad’: is the UK real living wage under threat as Capita and BrewDog pull out?

Unions and some employers push back against claims that the pay standard is unaffordable after two years of 10% rises

The outsourcing company Capita has become the second high-profile business to inform employees it would be dropping its commitment to the real living wage.

The independently calculated rate, born out of a grassroots campaign to improve the lives of the UK's poorest citizens, is meant to ensure the lowest-paid can afford the basic necessities of a decent life.