The Royal Borough of Greenwich have celebrated a 22% increase in Living Wage employers, welcoming over 100 accredited businesses to the fair pay movement since February.

‘Living Wage Week’, taking place from the 6th to 12th of November, is pioneered by Living Wage Foundation with a commitment to tackle in-work poverty by supporting employers in providing fair pay, secure working hours and an adequate pension fund for workers in the UK.

A senior official at Emergency Exit Arts told South London Lines: “With Living Wage UK, every little helps. If they can support small businesses in paying their employees a fair wage then it can only contribute to the good of the community.”

The rise in Living Wage Employers in Greenwich follows a dedicated council-led Living Wage campaign that allocated £36,000 to a small grants scheme, supporting local businesses in covering three years of accreditation with the Living Wage Foundation.

Peter’s Panas, an accredited Living Wage employer. Pic: Royal Borough of Greenwich.

Councillor Mariam Lolavar, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Business and Skills, said: “Championing the real Living Wage is at the heart of our work to tackle in-work poverty and create a more inclusive local economy.”

On Tuesday 24th October, the Living Wage Foundation announced an increase of the hourly rate to £13.15 in London; this is a 23% increase in the government minimum wage of £10.42.

The charity independently sets an annual wage rate which accounts for the rising costs of energy bills, fuel, rent and food.

The foundation was started in 2001 by Citizens UK, with the roots of the campaign set in a movement from East London communities raising the recurring issue of low pay. Today, over 20 years later, 14,000 nation wide employers are supported by Living Wage.