Council secures Living Wage accreditation

The Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative will see everyone working at North Lanarkshire Council as a direct employee or third-party contractor receive at least a minimum hourly pay of £8.45.

Although more than 13,000 employed staff at North Lanarkshire have been paid at least the living wage for a number of years, the council has been working with over 8— contractors and suppliers through a phased implementation plan to encourage them to observe the hourly rate.

The majority of North Lanarkshire Council’s suppliers have committed to passing on the living wage to their employees and the council will continue to work with them on this through contract management arrangements.

The Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently and calculated according to the real costs of living.

Jim Logue, leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said: “Our staff is the lifeblood of the council, delivering a range of services to people in our communities. Although North Lanarkshire Council has been paying at least the living wage to its employees for a number of years, becoming an accredited Living Wage employer encourages our many suppliers to pass on the benefits to their staff who are working with us. Considering many of our staff also live in the council area, it is vital that they are paid a fair and reasonable wage to assist them with an affordable quality of life.

"There are clear benefits for the organisation too, including improved staff retention and quality of service and reduced staff absences.

"A number of communities in North Lanarkshire feel the direct impact of inequalities and poverty on their lives and we will continue to explore ways to improve opportunities for people living and working in North Lanarkshire. Being an accredited Living Wage employer is just one way that we can help people to do just that."

Marie Quigley, chair of North Lanarkshire’s Joint Trade Unions, said: “The living wage is something that all three unions have been campaigning on nationally for a long time, so this news is very welcome. It guarantees an hourly rate of £8.45 for the lowest paid people in the council. The living wage is about preventing in-work poverty and paying people at a rate that provides security and dignity in work.

"We commend the council for extending the living wage responsibility to its contractors and suppliers and for setting a strong example that says poverty wages in our community will not be tolerated.”