Southwark Council was a standout winner at last night’s Living Wage Champion Awards, receiving two awards for its efforts to expand the London Living Wage coverage across the borough – helping ensure local workers are paid fairly for the work they do.
The council won the Industry Champion Award, while James Reed, Senior Programme Officer of Southwark’s Living Wage Unit, was named as winner of Advocate of the Year. Southwark was also shortlisted in the Local Champion category.
These awards recognise the council’s success in supporting 126 Southwark businesses to become accredited Living Wage Employers over the past 18 months - securing pay rises for thousands of Southwark workers.
The London Living Wage is currently set at £13.85 per hour - £1.64 more than the National Living Wage. It is the only wage rate that reflects the true cost of living in the capital. Employers who commit to paying it can gain formal recognition by becoming accredited Living Wage Employers.
Southwark Council co-ordinates a group of Living Wage Employers who meet regularly to share best practices and champion the London Living Wage to other local businesses.
Katherine Chapman, Director of the Living Wage Foundation, said: “We are delighted to congratulate all our Living Wage Champion Awards winners for their outstanding commitment to the real Living Wage and driving up employment standards.
Together the Living Wage movement has put £3.85 billion back into the pockets of low paid workers since the campaign began. I warmly congratulate Southwark Council and James Reed on their well-deserved awards and thank them for their support for the Living Wage movement.”
Cllr John Batteson, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Jobs & Business, said: “Southwark has long been a trailblazer in championing the Living Wage, and we are proud to be the first borough ever recognised as a London Living Wage Place.
These awards are testament to the dedication of James Reed in our Local Economy Team and Southwark’s entire Living Wage Unit, who have worked tirelessly to grow the number of accredited Living Wage Employers in the borough to 439.
At a time when the cost of living continues to rise, it’s more important than ever that workers in Southwark receive pay that truly meets their needs. Thanks to James and his colleagues, thousands more Southwark workers are now earning a fair wage that makes a real different to their lives.”
The annual Living Wage Champion Awards celebrate individuals and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the Living Wage movement. This year they were held in Newcastle-upon-Tyne for the first time ever.
If your business is interested in the Living Wage Employer accreditation contact the Living Wage Unit by emailing: SouthwarkBusinessDesk@southwark.gov.uk