Bury Council’s support for Real Living Wage for the lowest paid

Bury Council is committed to paying the Real Living Wage and has welcomed the announcement that has risen to £10.90 per hour.

“Paying the Real Living Wage is an important part of the council’s plans to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and improve the lives of our residents,” said Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council.

“Last year the council made a substantial financial commitment to paying our lowest paid staff and those in organisations we commission, at least the value of the Real Living wage.

“That’s around 4000 people working in social care, in schools, and in other organisations who are benefitting during the current tough times.”

Councillor Tahir Rafiq, Cabinet Member for Corporate Affairs and HR added “Research by the Real Living Wage Foundation shows that organisations who pay the Real Living Wage, keep more of their staff. People are better motivated and work harder for their employers.

“They are able to recruit more staff. People see they pay the Real Living Wage and are attracted to work for those organisations.

“It’s not only good for staff but also the organisations who pay them. It’s why we’re recommending other employers across the borough adopt it.”

The Real Living Wage is independently set and calculated according to the cost of living, based on a basket of goods.

It is higher than the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage because it is based on what it costs to live.

Bury will be increasing its pay rates from April next year following on from the new Living Wage rate announcement.