The Soil Association and Brook have been accredited as living wage employers by the Living Wage Foundation as part of Living Wage Week.
The living wage commitment will mean all employees in the two organisations will receive a minimum hourly wage of £7.85. This is higher than the national minimum wage of £6.50.
The living wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually. Employers choose to pay the living wage on a voluntary basis, and it is calculated according to the basic cost of living using the ‘Minimum Income Standard’ for the UK.
Hayley Lord, HR manager at the Soil Association, said: “This recognition from the Living Wage Foundation reflects the value we place in all our employees.”
Tim Scott, head of people and organisational development at Brook, added: “I believe that paying the Living Wage is good for our staff, good for Brook, and good for society as a whole.
“This week (2-8 November) is Living Wage Week, and I am delighted to see the Living Wage Foundation’s campaign getting national attention, and kick-starting a public debate on the issue.”
Rhys Moore, director of the Living Wage Foundation, said: “The best employers are voluntarily signing up to pay the living wage now. We have accredited over 900 leading employers, ranging from independent printers, hairdressers and breweries. These businesses recognise that clinging to the national minimum wage is not good for business.”
