Newcastle City Council has increased wages by £1 per hour for 800 of its lowest-paid employees, as part of its commitment to fair pay and maintaining a decent standard of living.
The eligible employees include school cooks, domestic staff, cleaners and nursery assistants, among others, and the overall pay increase will increase Newcastle City Council’s pay bill by £127,000 for the remainder of this financial year.
The council, which employs more than 5,000 people overall, raised wages in line with the Living Wage Foundation’s rates, which in September 2022 increased from £9.90 to £10.90. It has increased compensation for its three lowest pay grades every year since 2012.
The council has also committed to work towards accreditation as a real living wage employer, in order to improve pay rates among its contractors as well as direct members of staff.
Other benefits provided by Newcastle City Council include flexible working, an employee assistance programme (EAP), physiotherapy and vision screening services, a staff travel scheme, career break schemes, and staff support groups.
Councillor Paul Frew, cabinet member for an efficient council, said: “This pay rise is recognition of the commitment and professionalism shown by our staff in often very demanding and challenging jobs. A living wage should be expected by everyone who works, and our staff deserve every penny. Fair pay is especially important in the face of rising living costs such as energy bills, food, petrol, rent, and mortgages.
“If all employers in the city did this, we would have a more resilient local economy, that better serves workers and their families.”