The Living Wage Foundation will be attending the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences!
We will be hosting panel discussions at both conferences, and you can find further details below. There is no need to register for our events, simply turn up on the day. If you would like to know more or have questions, please contact emily.roe@livingwage.org.uk.
Conservative Party Conference| Manchester | Sunday 1st to Wednesday 4th
Is wage inequality holding back the ‘Levelling Up’ agenda?
Held in Partnership with Onward
Sunday 5pm-6pm, Exchange 2-3, Manchester Central
The Levelling Up agenda is most talked about through tangible changes, such as regional transport investment, rejuvenated highstreets, or investment in public libraries or community halls.
Physical changes such as these are essential, helping to revitalize places, bringing opportunity and driving productivity but their impact will be limited if income inequalities are not also addressed. With higher wages, people have more spending power to inject life and money into their local economies. For instance, bringing all workers in the Tees Valley onto the living wage would bring a dividend of £13 million into the local economy.
This could also reduce the burden on the state to subside those living in poverty. But while higher wages may alleviate the personal pressures of the cost-of-living crisis, some economists warn that higher wages may only worsen one of its drivers: inflation.
For this event we will be joined by Kevin Hollinrake MP, to discuss how the expansion of the living wage could be used to support Levelling Up. It will also discuss how the Government might facilitate take-up amongst employers while considering the benefits and concerns for the wider economy.
You do not need to register for this event to attend, spaces are allocated on a first come first served basis.
Labour Party Conference | Liverpool | Sunday 8th to Wednesday 11th
The Good Work Debate: Can a Labour government deliver better jobs across Britain?
Held in partnership with the Resolution Foundation
Tuesday 10th 5-6pm, Auditorium 1C in the ACC arena
Britain has a high quantity of work, but its record on job quality is less impressive, with too many workers facing low pay, insecure contracts and poor working conditions. In this event, co-hosted by the Resolution Foundation and Living Wage Foundation, we’ll discuss how a Labour government would improve the quality of work across Britain. This event is held within the secure zone, and you will need a Labour conference pass to attend. Spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Chair: Torsten Bell, Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation
Speakers:
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Angela Rayner MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party (invited)
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Katherine Chapman, Director of the Living Wage Foundation
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Hywel Ball from EY
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Stephen Bush, Associate Editor at the Financial Times
Strengthening local economies with a real Living Wage
Held in partnership with Centre for Cities
Monday 9th October, 10 – 11am | Clore Studio, Tate Liverpool
The UK is in the grip of a cost-of-living crisis as inflation soars and pay struggles to keep up. More than ever, this has highlighted the need to support and ease inflation pressures for the lowest income households. Through adopting a Living Wage, employers are able to provide for their employers as well as helping us move us to a high-wage, high-growth economy.
In this event chaired by Andrew Carter (Chief Executive of Centre for Cities) we will explore the regional geography of low pay and the local economic boost that adopting the Living Wage can provide, all within the context of the cost-of-living crisis which is deepening the pressure on costs and squeezing incomes.
You do not need to be a member of the Labour Party or have a ticket to attend this event. Spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis.