London Ambulance Service has received living wage employer accreditation for paying its staff a wage that reflects the capital’s cost of living.
The accreditation from the Living Wage Foundation recognised that all staff, including those in control rooms and who prepare ambulances to go on the road, receive an hourly minimum rate of £11.95. This is higher than the government’s current minimum wage for those aged 23 and above of £9.50 an hour, and the £11.05 an hour London living wage rate, as set by the Living Wage Foundation.
This followed a previous decision by the London Ambulance Service to bring the pay rate for around 90 people working under contract – namely members of NHS staff that clean ambulance headquarters, stations and other buildings – in line with the London living wage. Additionally, around 400 staff working in the organisation’s Make Ready Service, who restock and refuel ambulances before a shift, benefitted from this last year.
Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of London Ambulance Service, said: “This is a significant achievement and I’m very proud we have achieved living wage employer status. Our staff are the biggest asset we have and it’s right we pay everyone a wage that reflects the additional costs of living in this city.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan added: “I am delighted that the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust has become a London living wage employer. [The] staff work tirelessly to keep us all safe and it is only right that they are paid fair wage for their efforts.
“I’m proud that since I became mayor the number of accredited London living wage employers has more than quadrupled, and I’m determined to keep up this momentum. I hope other organisations will see [this] successful implementation of the living wage and be inspired to join us on our journey to build a better and fairer London for all.”