WHY IS THE LIVING WAGE IMPORTANT?

The Living Wage is the real minimum rate of pay that enables a worker to provide a decent standard of living for themselves and their family.

In London, the Living Wage currently stands at £7.20 per hour. The background to this figure can be found in the document, A Fairer London: The Living Wage in London (GLA 2007).

Many service sector workers - including cleaners, security guards and catering staff - experience low pay and difficult, sometimes exploitative working conditions. It is estimated that in London alone 400,000 people fall into this working poverty trap.

Recent studies show that 20% of cleaners are on rock-bottom, national minimum wages of only £5.35/hour and over half do not receive sick pay. The majority work unsociable hours on night-time and dawn shifts.

Living Wage employment can change lives.

A recent survey found that, since the Living Wage was introduced at the Royal London Hospital, 75% of cleaners believe that they can now pay for their children's education. "I can pay for my children's pencil cases and books".

Living Wage employment can improve service.

KPMG report that since becoming a Living Wage Employer the turnover of cleaning staff has reduced by 50%. A recent survey found that better employment conditions lead to a better motivated workforce. "I used to wake up in the night and feel sick thinking about work", said one cleaner. Now that pay has improved "I feel proud to work in the hospital".