This book sets out a practical definition and method for calculating a living wage—what households need to cover basic goods and services and achieve a decent standard of living—and argues that prevailing minimum wages and benefits often fall short. It examines the social and economic consequences of low pay, evaluates different calculation approaches, and discusses the policy implications for employers, governments, and welfare systems, making a case for using a transparent, needs-based benchmark to guide wage-setting and reduce in-work poverty.