In October, the Living Wage Foundation determined the Real Living Wage (RLW) is £13.85 in London and £12.60 across the rest of the UK. To date, 15,000 employers pay the RLW, including FTSE 100 companies, tech companies and retailers, and 460,000 employees have received a pay increase because of the Living Wage Campaign.
Last year, the National Living Wage (previously referred to as the minimum wage) increased to £11.44 for those aged 21 and over. This is the statutory amount and set as a percentage of median earnings. The recent budget set a further increase to NLW at £12.21, but this doesn’t consider a London pay lift.
The Living Wage Foundation argues that National Living Wage isn’t enough to pay for basic items such as groceries and unplanned emergencies. Studies show that 42 percent of workers who earn below the RLW have less than £10 left after paying for essentials.
Data from the Office for National Statistics has revealed that 12.9 percent of UK employees earned less than the RLW in April 2023. The Trussell Trust’s foodbank reported distributing 3.1 million food parcels between April 2023 and March 2024, 65% of these going to families with dependencies. It’s clear more people need help to get their basic needs met as the cost of living rises.
Why did Corps Security become a Living Wage Recognised Service Provider?
Corps Security has always put people at the heart of what we do. When Captain Sir Edward Walter founded the Corps of Commissionaires in 1859, he did so with compassion for those who were returning from the Crimean War. Today, we have the same level of focus on care for our people. Paying people a wage that is fair and that they can live on is imperative.
As a Living Wage Recognised Service Provider, our CEO Mike Bullock, who previously co-chaired the steering group, explains:
“No security officer, who protects the public at work, should go home feeling unsupported and suffering financially. The RLW is just one of the many ways employers can look after colleagues, and it makes a big difference. In fact, it is often a lifeline for countless individuals and families striving to make ends meet.
“Corps Security is a proud supporter of the Real Living Wage, and we are committed to ensuring our employees receive fair pay. We have a collective responsibility as employers to provide our colleagues with the means to improve their quality of life.”
How can you find out more about the Living Wage Foundation?
As part of Living Wage Week (4-10th November 2024), the Living Wage Foundation is running a series of activities around the country. Click here to access all the events happening during the event.
To learn more about our history providing the Real Living Wage, read here.
