The Living Wage helps to tackle poverty, by putting more money into the pockets of the UK’s lowest paid workers.
The real Living Wage is an independently calculated rate based on the cost of living and is paid voluntarily by employers. This is different to the UK government’s National Living Wage scheme, which is not calculated according to what employees need to live on.
The Living Wage rate is calculated each year in November by determining the wage that employees need to earn in order to afford basics such as housing, childcare, transport and heating costs that support a decent standard of living.
The Living Wage is currently calculated at £12.00 an hour.
For more information about the Living Wage, including case studies from participating businesses, and FAQs visit the Living Wage Scotland website.
Benefits of becoming a Living Wage employer
Places benefit when more local employers commit to the real Living Wage. More workers can earn a wage that reflects living costs, helping lift families out of in-work poverty, and providing workers with enough to get by.
Local people can enjoy higher levels of disposable income, and local businesses benefit from increased spending.
Employers involved in the Making Living Wage Places scheme can:
- access new partnerships and develop relationships with key local stakeholders
- increase the profile of their organisation
- play a leading role in helping tackle low pay and in-work poverty
- enjoy positive marketing of their role in the scheme
- help raise the positive profile of their community