Council recognised for paying its staff real Living Wage

Sutton Council has been officially recognised as a Living Wage Employer.

The commitment to pay the real Living Wage will see everyone working at the Council or one of its contractors receive a minimum hourly wage of £13.15. This is significantly higher than the government minimum for over-23 year olds, which is £10.42 per hour. 

In London, 13.6% of all jobs pay less than the real Living Wage – or 575,000 jobs. As part of its ambitious plans to build an inclusive place for everyone in Sutton and ensure strong and fair economic growth, the Council has committed to pay the real Living Wage. This is a voluntary commitment that Sutton Council felt was important to make despite the financial challenges faced by all local authorities currently.

The real Living Wage is calculated according to the cost of living. It provides a benchmark for employers who want to ensure their staff earn a wage they can live on, not just the government minimum. This is especially important during the current cost of living crisis. 

Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 450,000 people and put over £2 billion extra into the pockets of low-paid workers. 

Councillor Sunita Gordon, the Lead Member for Resources at Sutton Council, said:
“Many of our residents are really struggling as a result of the current cost of living crisis. Food prices are still high, rent and bills continue to rise and many of those with a job are having to work longer hours to make ends meet.

“That’s why it’s so important that Sutton Council has been recognised as a real Living Wage employer. We want to do everything we can to create a truly inclusive place for everyone and ensure we have strong and fair economic growth in our borough. 

“We want to set a good example and encourage other organisations in Sutton to follow our lead and become real Living Wage employers.”

Katherine Chapman, Director of the Living Wage Foundation said: 
“We’re delighted that Sutton Council has joined over 12,000 other responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on.
 
“They join thousands of small businesses, as well as household names such as Burberry, Barclays, Everton Football Club and many more. These businesses recognise that paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employer and they, like Sutton Council, believe that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay."