Museum and library services trust Culture Perth and Kinross has been accredited as a living wage employer by The Poverty Alliance.
The Perth-based charitable trust has committed to paying its 119 permanent UK employees, as well as any third-party contractors, at least the voluntary living wage rate of £8.75 an hour.
The living wage is an independently set hourly rate of pay that is calculated according to the basic costs of living. Employers pay the living wage rate, which is updated annually, on a voluntary basis. The living wage is currently set at £8.75 an hour for employees working across the UK and at £10.20 an hour for staff based in London. The higher London living wage reflects the increased living costs associated with residing in the capital.
The voluntary living wage is distinct from the statutory national living wage, which is paid to employees aged 25 and over. The national living wage rate is currently set at £7.50 an hour.
The Poverty Alliance promotes the voluntary living wage rate in Scotland.
Helen Smout, chief executive officer at Culture Perth and Kinross, said: “Living wage accreditation formally recognises what was already in place for the majority of our employees. We believe it’s important that all of our staff receive a wage which supports living, accommodation, food and inflation costs.”
Peter Kelly, director at The Poverty Alliance, added: “We congratulate Culture Perth and Kinross on [its] living wage accreditation and we are excited to get more employers in Perth and Kinross signing up. Accredited living wage employers tell us that they see benefits from better staff morale, increased productivity and retention. We hope many more employers in the area will join [Culture Perth and Kinross] in realising this.”
