The Department for Business and Trade has today been accredited as a Living Wage Employer by the Living Wage Foundation, becoming the first UK Government department to achieve this milestone.
The accreditation means that all directly employed staff, as well as regularly contracted workers such as cleaners and security staff, will be paid at least the real Living Wage. The real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate independently calculated based on the cost of living.
The Department for Business and Trade’s accreditation sets an important precedent across government and the wider public sector, demonstrating leadership in promoting fair pay and good employment practices.
By becoming an accredited Living Wage Employer, the Department for Business and Trade joins a growing network of over 16,000 organisations across the UK who have committed to going further than the legal minimum to ensure workers are paid a wage that reflects everyday living costs.
The move represents a significant step for the Living Wage movement, which began with campaigns led by low-paid workers in East London and has since grown into a nationwide movement spanning businesses, charities and public sector organisations.
Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden said:
“I am passionate about creating workplaces where people are treated with dignity and respect, and having been accredited as a Living Wage Employer today, I am proud that my Department is just that.
“I am delighted we are the trailblazer that other Government departments can follow, ensuring a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work and providing the backing working people in this country deserve.”
Katherine Chapman, Executive Director of the Living Wage Foundation, said:
“We are delighted to welcome the Department for Business and Trade as the first UK Government department to become an accredited Living Wage Employer.
“This is a powerful demonstration of leadership and a clear commitment to fair pay and decent work. By ensuring that all staff and contracted workers are paid a real Living Wage, the Department for Business and Trade is making a meaningful difference to people’s lives and setting an important example for the wider public sector. We hope to see other UK government departments follow their lead.
“As we mark 25 years of the Living Wage movement, this milestone reflects how far the movement has come, and the growing recognition that paying a real Living Wage is fundamental to building a stronger, fairer economy.”