Brighton & Hove City Council pledges support for Living Wage
Brighton & Hove City Council has pledged its support to the Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign for a further two years.
Cost of living
The rise in the cost of living means there has never been a more crucial time to pay employees the real Living Wage. The Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign, now in its tenth year, is led by Brighton Chamber – the only business-led initiative of its kind in the UK.
Living Wage, not National Minimum
The Campaign encourages local employers to pay their staff the real Living Wage, rather than the government’s national minimum. This wage is calculated by the Resolution Foundation and is currently £9.90 per hour.
More than 4,000 salaries elevated
Brighton & Hove City Council’s ongoing support means the Chamber can continue to dedicate time to the campaign, recruit more sign-ups, and encourage employers to pay their staff the real Living Wage.
The number of sign-ups now sits at 817, and more than 4,000 salaries have been elevated across Brighton & Hove.
Putting fairness at the heart of our city
Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “I’m delighted to continue to support this hugely important campaign for the city. I’m also grateful to all employers who continue to pay staff a wage they can live on.
“Paying the Brighton Living Wage is increasingly a smart part of running a business, it helps retain valuable staff, ensures employees can afford to stay in their jobs, improves quality of life and puts fairness at the very heart of our city.
Proud
“Brighton and Hove City Council is proud that the Brighton Chamber and many of our businesses continue to join us advocating for a fair wage.
“Just this week we’ve seen that wages have fallen at the fastest rate in 20 years and as the cost of living continues to rise, more money in the pockets of our communities is a good thing for all of us.
More still needed
“For all these reasons we still need more businesses which see the benefit of fair pay with the Brighton & Hove Living Wage.”
Local campaign
Brighton Chamber CEO Sarah Springford said: “The local campaign is a positive one which showcases our Living Wage employers.
“Having a locally run Living Wage Campaign is vital to the city, it keeps the importance of a fair wage firmly on the agenda and enables Brighton & Hove to celebrate and reward employers who state their commitment to it.”
Highly regarded
Brighton Chamber is a not-for-profit organisation that is highly regarded and firmly established in the heart of the local business community. It has over 650 members from across all sectors, growing with an average of 20 new members a month.
1000 sign-ups goal
By 2024 the Chamber’s goal is to have reached 1,000 sign-ups to the Living Wage Campaign - and by building on their existing work, the Chamber is on track to hit this target.
Gaining momentum
The Campaign is gaining momentum and recognition in other areas too. A collaborative social media campaign with Brighton-based marketing agency Arke nominated for two awards – The UK Social Media Awards and the European Paid Media Awards.
Businesses understand
Alex Watson, of Arke Agency, said: “It was a pleasure to be part of the Brighton Chamber team promoting The Living Wage Foundation when speaking at the recent Brighton Business Show.
“Every business that we spoke to had an understanding and appreciation for the cause, so I hope to see more and more businesses sign up! Let's get to that magic 1,000!”