Fewer than half of employees in Yorkshire say their bosses are paying the living wage, according to a survey.

The study by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) came as shopworkers union Usdaw gave evidence to the Low Pay Commission for an increase in the national minimum wage.

The ACCA survey showed that only 46.7% of respondents in Yorkshire and Humber were confident that their employer paid the living wage – but 83.3% believed their employer should pay the living wage.

The survey covered a number of issues related to social mobility and formed the basis for a new report – “Who accounts for social mobility? Is enough being done?” It showed that 21.7% of workers polled thought that social mobility was not an issue that was important to their employer.

Sarah Hathaway, head of ACCA UK said: “It’s disappointing to see that less than half of employers are paying the living wage. One of the biggest barriers to social mobility is being able to earn a living wage.

“Of course we have to be mindful of the wider economic circumstances. We are still emerging from the financial crisis but living standards will not increase while we have so many employers across the region not paying their staff the living wage.”

Making the union’s case at the meeting with the Low Pay Commission, Usdaw head of research and economics Fiona Wilson said: “With the economy growing and unemployment falling, it is time for the lowest paid workers to feel the benefit in their pay packets.

“There is no doubt that many working people and their families are suffering in a cost of living crisis, with prices rising faster than incomes. The retail price index remains higher than the Bank of England target and is set to continue that trend.

“Our evidence shows that low-paid workers experience even higher inflation because the prices of essentials like energy, clothing and basic food items are rising much faster than the headline rate of inflation.

“We are looking for action to help young workers by calling for the adult rate to be applied at 18 instead of 21. This would take the minimum wage closer to what Usdaw has negotiated in the retail food sector, where the adult rate is paid at 16. We are also pressing for a significant increase in the apprentice rate.”

The living wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually according to the basic cost of living in the UK. The current national living wage is £7.85 an hour outside London and £9.15 an hour in the capital.

The national minimum wage is £6.50 an hour for those aged 21 and over, £5.13 for 18 to 20-yearolds and £3.79 for those aged under 18. The apprentice rate for those aged 16 to 18 or over 19 and in their first year is £2.73.