Trafford Council has committed to paying its employees the real living wage as a boost for those who are struggling through the cost-of-living crisis.
A total of 320 members of staff employed by the local authority and surrounding schools will now be paid the real living wage rate of £10.90 per hour, which is higher than the government minimum for those aged 23 and above, currently standing at £9.50 per hour nationally and £11.95 for employees based in London. As of April this year, the government will increase the national living wage by 9.7% to account for the rising cost of living.
The council applied for accreditation from the Living Wage Foundation, and will work with eligible contracted suppliers that it currently deals with to ensure they also pay their staff the living wage.
Counsellor Tom Ross, leader for Trafford Council, said: “One of our three corporate priorities is to support people out of poverty and paying the real living wage is a key action in responding to the cost-of-living crisis at a time when costs are increasing.
“We have also agreed to apply for living wage accreditation, which formally recognises and celebrates employers who choose to go further than the government’s minimum hourly rate. Thank you for everyone who has worked on getting us to this point. It is crucial that we help as many people as possible through this crisis.”
The council joins four other local authorities in Greater Manchester which have received accreditation by the Living Wage Foundation: Bury, Salford, Manchester and Oldham, as well as Greater Manchester Combined Authority. There are more than 500 accredited organisations in Greater Manchester and 55 in Trafford.