Employees of 140 Hackney businesses to benefit from increased London Living Wage
140 accredited Living Wage employers in the borough will pay their employees a minimum of £10.85 an hour after the new London Living Wage was announced this morning.
The new rate, an increase of 10p per hour from last year, comes as the number of accredited Living Wage employers in the borough has increased by 40% in Hackney in little over a year.
To mark the beginning of Living Wage Week Hackney Council, an accredited Living Wage employer, has raised the Living Wage flag over Hackney Town Hall and offered support to local accredited employers by publishing a list of all London Living Wage businesses in the borough. This can be used by residents who wish to work for or buy from a Living Wage employer and businesses who are looking to include those with similar social values in their supply chain.
This work forms part of the Council's plan to rebuild a fairer economy in the wake of the pandemic – championing businesses that give back to the local community through local employment, apprenticeships, fair wages and other activities that bring social value.
The pandemic has had an unprecedented effect on the economy and unemployment levels are anticipated to rise, especially after government delays to extend furlough and inadequate schemes to replace it will leave many households relying on one income.
The Hackney Living Wage Businesses list has been created to shine a light on those businesses that, despite the pandemic, have been able to continue to pay their employees, many of whom are Hackney residents, the Living Wage and encourage residents and businesses to support them by using their services.
We’re committed to championing businesses who provide their employees with a minimum of the London Living Wage because as it’s vital our residents have access to jobs that will pay for a decent standard of living in the borough.
I’m heartened to see the number of accredited Living Wage employers in Hackney is still rising in what has been a very difficult year for businesses.
Paying the London Living Wage improves quality of life and wellbeing for staff, which has never been more important, and employers will also see the benefit through productivity and staff retention.
In 2016 Hackney Council was formally accredited as a London Living Wage employer by the Living Wage Foundation, cementing a long-standing commitment to pay the London Living Wage. That commitment means that everyone working for the Council, regardless of whether they are permanent employees, temporary and part-time staff, agency workers or apprentices over the age of 18, is guaranteed at least the London Living Wage.
View Living Wage employers in the borough: investinhackney.org/living-wage
Notes to editors
The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated according to what people need to make ends meet. It provides a voluntary benchmark for employers that choose to take a stand by ensuring their staff earn a wage that meets the costs and pressures they face in their everyday lives.
The UK Living Wage is currently £9.50 per hour. There is a separate London Living Wage rate of £10.85 per hour to reflect the higher costs of transport, childcare and housing in the capital. These figures are calculated annually by the Resolution Foundation and overseen by the Living Wage Commission, based on the best available evidence on living standards in London and the UK.
The Living Wage Foundation is the organisation at the heart of the movement of businesses, organisations and individuals who campaign for the simple idea that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. There are almost 7000 accredited Living Wage employers in the UK.