Fashion brand Burberry has increased the salaries of its lowest-paid staff in order to match the current real living wage pay figures as decided by the Living Wage Foundation, and to help with the rising cost of living.
The business, which employs 3,000 people in the UK, has been a UK real living wage employer since 2016. It implemented the increased rates as of this month, ahead of the 14 May 2023 deadline set for accredited employers.
The foundation increased its rates to £10.90 an hour across the UK and £11.95 an hour in London, a £1 and 90 pence rise, respectively. The updated rates were both higher than the government’s current minimum wage of £9.50 for staff aged 23 and above.
According to the Living Wage Foundation, this year’s increase was brought forward as a result of the sharp rise in living costs in the UK. The rate rose by 10.1%, which is the highest increase in its 11-year history.
Jonathan Akeroyd, chief executive officer at Burberry, said: “At Burberry, our priority is our people. We’re proud to implement the UK real living wage early and hope that this, coupled with the policies and wellbeing programmes we already have in place, will help to alleviate some of the challenges our colleagues are facing.”
Katherine Chapman, director of the Living Wage Foundation, added: “We are delighted that Burberry is implementing the new real living wage rates with immediate effect. Burberry is a long-time supporter and champion of the real living wage movement and today’s announcement will make a massive difference. Burberry is one of 11,000 living wage employers across the UK who are committed to always doing right by their employees by paying a wage based on the real cost of living.”
