GEORGE OSBORNE’S claim to be implementing a “national living wage” of £7.20 will be further discredited today as the real rate is raised to £8.25 an hour.

Around 70,000 workers will benefit from a 40p boost announced by the Living Wage Foundation to compensate for rising living costs.

But almost six million workers are now living hand-to-mouth on less than the current living wage of £7.85, auditors KPMG revealed at the weekend.