Today the Living Wage Commission (a 12 month independent inquiry into the opportunities and barriers to the Living Wage, chaired by Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu) has presented a blueprint to lift 1m workers out of low pay through the voluntary take up of the Living Wage. The report follows the most comprehensive analysis to date of low pay, conducted over 12 months by leading figures from business, trades unions, academia and civil society. You can read the full report here.
Rhys Moore, Director of the Living Wage Foundation said:
"The Living Wage Commission highlights the injustice of in work poverty and we support their call to encourage those businesses that can, to pay more and become accredited Living Wage employers.
"The economic recovery must extend to those who have been struggling to contend with low pay and rising living costs. We believe the target of lifting 1 million people out of low pay over the next six years is achievable. Employers such as Nationwide, SSE and Aviva have been leading the way, demonstrating how the Living Wage makes good business, as well as moral, sense.
"What's most exciting is when organisations in sectors where traditionally the Living Wage has been deemed unaffordable come forward to be accredited employers. The leadership of Abbeyfield, a national elderly-care provider, in delivering the Living Wage in the social care sector is a triumph that we hope will demonstrate to others that whilst challenging, it is not impossible.
"The best employers are voluntarily signing up to pay the Living Wage now. The Living Wage is a robust calculation that reflects the real cost of living, rewarding a hard day's work with a fair day's pay."