Newcastle United Football Club has received living wage employer accreditation from the Living Wage Foundation.
The lowest-paid employees at the club will see their pay increase by £1.10 to £12 an hour. It applied to become an accredited living wage employer in February 2022 to support its staff across the club, its foundation and catering partner Sodexo, and has now had its application formally approved.
The Living Wage Foundation independently calculates a minimum rate of pay in line with the cost of living to establish the real living wage, setting a benchmark for employers that wish to ensure staff earn a fair wage at a higher rate than the national minimum wage and national living wage. This is due to rise to at least £11 an hour from April 2024.
Under the real living wage rate, a full-time worker would earn £3,081 a year more than someone earning the government minimum wage for those aged 23 and above, which stands at £10.42.
Darren Eales, chief executive officer of Newcastle United, said: “This is the right thing to do for the football club. People make Newcastle United what it is, and we want to ensure our employees’ contribution to the club is fairly rewarded. Family is at the heart of our club values and this accreditation brings to life our commitment to rewarding great contributions. Our positive and supportive culture is hugely important to us, and becoming a real living wage provider ensures we are protecting and supporting those who are most vulnerable to the rising cost of living.”