Hosted by Cambridge City Council and Anglia Ruskin University, and taking place at the university's Cambridge campus on East Road, the free networking and panel discussion will benefit business leaders, HR professionals, and those working in Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Social Governance roles.
Attendees will have the chance to hear from and ask questions to a panel of leaders from accredited Living Wage employers of different sizes and in different sectors:
- Hayley Pellegrini from the Portland Arms
- Tracy Hutchison from nursery group Beach Babies
- Deborah Simpson from Cambridge City Council
- James Rolfe and Ruth Waight from Anglia Ruskin University.
Josephine Linton from the Living Wage Foundation will also be on the panel answering questions about the Real Living Wage and accreditation. Register (free) online at: www.cambridge.gov.uk/living-wage-week
Living Wage Week takes place nationally from 14 to 20 November, and the council will also be partnering with Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service (CCVS), to run a webinar for those in the charitable and voluntary sector who would like to find out about accreditation, and how CCVS can support them through the process. The webinar takes place on Wednesday 16 November from 10am. Register (free) online at: www.cambridge.gov.uk/living-wage-week
As of September 2022, the Real Living Wage rate is £10.90/hour in the UK, with the London rate set at £11.95/hour. These rates are calculated annually by the Resolution Foundation, based on evidence about living standards across the UK. Accredited Living Wage employers commit to paying at least these rates to all staff regardless of age or experience
In comparison, the National Living Wage rate is set at £9.50 and only applies to people aged 23 and over. The National Minimum Wage still applies for workers aged 22 and under, which ranges from £6.83 for 18-20 year olds, and £9.18 for 21-22 year olds.
Cllr Alice Gilderdale, Executive Councillor for Recovery, Employment and Community Safety at Cambridge City Council, said: “In addition to being an accredited Living Wage employer ourselves since 2014, the council is committed to encouraging more Cambridge businesses to start paying a Real Living Wage – and it feels as though this has never been so important.
“With so many households struggling with rising living costs, paying a Real Living Wage is one way for businesses to support their staff this winter and commit to fair pay going forwards. We recognise that business conditions are extremely challenging at the moment, which is why we are providing this opportunity to hear from accredited businesses to understand what’s involved as well as what the long-term benefits are. Throughout the year, we will continue to work with businesses on their journeys to accreditation.
Please do sign up to join us on 14 November to learn more about the Real Living Wage and, if you work for a local charity or in the voluntary sector, please also take a look at CCVS’s webinar to learn more including what help there is to become accredited.”
