Businesses urged to sign up to Living Wage

Crawley Borough Council is encouraging local businesses to pay their staff a minimum of the Living Wage as Living Wage Week approaches.

The principle of the Living Wage – £7.45 an hour outside of London – was supported by the council in July and its Pay Policy Statement was amended to include a commitment to pay employees a minimum of the Living Wage.

The council is now working with the Living Wage Foundation, part of Citizens UK, to investigate the implications of incorporating the Living Wage requirements into future contracts for its services.

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Cllr Bob Lanzer, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “We’re committed to paying our employees a minimum of the Living Wage and gaining Living Wage accreditation.

“I’d encourage any local employers not already paying their staff the Living Wage to join the scheme.

“It makes business sense and provides wider economic and social benefits too. And what better time to sign up than Living Wage Week?”

The town’s Labour group tabled a Notice of Motion regarding the Living Wage at a meeting of the full council in February.

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Labour leader Cllr Peter Lamb said: “I’m overjoyed that Labour’s local Living Wage campaign has been successful at the Town Hall and we will continue to push for better conditions for working households across the town.”

Crawley Borough Council pays all of its staff, with the exception of apprentices, a minimum of the Living Wage.

Living Wage Week 2013 is a UK-wide celebration of the Living Wage and Living Wage Employers. It takes place on November 3 to 9 and is the second Living Wage Week.

For more information on the Living Wage visit www.livingwage.org.uk

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