Early Years Wales celebrates commitment to the real Living Wage

Early Years Wales has today accreditated as a Living Wage employer. 

Read the press release in full below.

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a hard days work deserves a fair days pay

PRESS RELEASE

7th May 2021

EARLY YEARS WALES CELEBRATES COMMITMENT TO REAL LIVING WAGE

Early Years Wales has today accredited as a Living Wage Employer. Our Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at Early Years Wales receive a minimum hourly wage of £9.50 in the UK or £10.85 in London. Both rates are significantly higher than the government minimum for over 21s, which currently stands at £8.91 per hour.

Early Years Wales is based in Wales, a region with one of the highest proportions of non-Living Wage jobs in the country (21%), with around 241,000 jobs paying less than the real Living Wage. Despite this, Early Years Wales has committed to pay the real Living Wage and deliver a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work.

The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated according to the costs of living. It provides a voluntary benchmark for employers that wish to ensure their staff earn a wage they can live on, not just the government minimum. Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 250,000 people and put over £1.3 billion extra into the pockets of low paid workers.

We recognise the professionalism of all colleagues within Early Years Wales and have decided to commit to ensuring that everyone we employ receives a Real Living Wage now and in the future. The early years sector has been seen as a sector where pay is low. We are advocating for all staff working with children in their formative years to receive the pay and recognition deserved for such a privileged and important role in the child’s life. Our commitment is a statement that we believe in an honest day’s pay for a day’s work. 

Dave Goodger - CEO

Laura Gardiner, Director, Living Wage Foundation said: “We’re delighted that Early Years Wales has joined the movement of over 7,000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on.

“They join thousands of small businesses, as well as household names such as Burberry, Barclays, Everton Football Club and many more. These businesses recognise that paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employer and they, like Early Years Wales, believe that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay."

ENDS

 

Media Contact

Charlotte Davies

Communications and Marketing Co-ordinator

Email: [email protected]

 

Notes to Editors

About the Living Wage

The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated according to what people need to make ends meet. It provides a voluntary benchmark for employers that choose to take a stand by ensuring their staff earn a wage that meets the costs and pressures they face in their everyday lives.

The UK Living Wage is currently £9.50 per hour. There is a separate London Living Wage rate of £10.85 per hour to reflect the higher costs of transport, childcare and housing in the capital. These figures are calculated annually by the Resolution Foundation and overseen by the Living Wage Commission, based on the best available evidence on living standards in London and the UK.

The Living Wage Foundation is the organisation at the heart of the movement of businesses, organisations and individuals who campaign for the simple idea that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. The Living Wage Foundation receives guidance and advice from the Living Wage Advisory Council. The Foundation is supported by our principal partners: Aviva; IKEA; Joseph Rowntree Foundation; KPMG; Linklaters; Nationwide; Nestle; Resolution Foundation; Oxfam; Trust for London; People’s Health Trust; and Queen Mary University of London.

What about the Government’s national living wage?

In July 2015 the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the UK Government would introduce a compulsory ‘national living wage’. It was introduced in April 2016, originally applying for all workers over the age of 25, and, as of April 2021, is currently £8.91 an hour and applies for workers over the age of 23. The rate is different to the Living Wage rates calculated by the Living Wage Foundation. The government rate is based on median earnings while the Living Wage Foundation rates are calculated according to the cost of living in London and the UK.

 

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