We did it! All 9 NHS Trusts in West London are now accredited Living Wage employers
All 9 NHS Trusts in North West London now accredited Living Wage Employers
After two years of campaigning, community leaders and workers celebrate as all 9 NHS Trusts in North West London are officially accredited Living Wage Employers, resulting in a wage uplift for 1,670 workers.
This news is celebrated by West London Citizens members from over 20 diverse civil society organisations, including City of Westminster College, Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, University of Westminster, St Anselm's Catholic Church, Westminster Quakers and St James Piccadilly, who campaigned together to call for fair pay for all NHS workers.
These NHS Trusts are based across London, a region where 13.3% of all jobs pay less than the real Living Wage – that’s 574,000 jobs. Despite this, these North West London NHS trusts have committed to pay the real Living Wage and deliver a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work for both directly employed staff and contractors.
Low pay has a devastating impact on families across London, with many people skipping meals and holding second or third jobs, resulting in no rest or recouperation time in between shifts. Low paid Londoners also report that a low wage has a negative impact on their mental and physical health, as well as on their relationships with close friends and family. [1]
With the real Living Wage being the only rate which is calculated in line with the cost of living, and increases each year to reflect this rise, West London Citizens are committed to collectively campaigning for a real Living Wage for all low paid workers across West London, to ensure no family ever has to choose between heating their homes or eating a meal.
The Making London a Living Wage City project, led by Citizens UK, the Living Wage Foundation and the Mayor of London, is working to tackle issues of low pay and insecure work through Living Wage and Living Hours accreditations. It aims to put over £635m back into the pockets of low paid workers, and lift tens of thousands of workers out of in-work poverty by boosting the number of accredited Living Wage and Living Hours employers across the capital.
As a retired Registered Dental Nurse, I believe that fair pay is essential for recognising the hard work and dedication of healthcare professionals who care for our communities. This campaign is crucial as it amplifies our voices and advocates for the support we deserve. I am proud to be part of this initiative because it not only empowers us, but also ensures quality care for everyone. Together, we must stand up for each other and fight for a system that values its people
Louise Johnston, student at City of Westminster College
We at AIC love the NHS because healthcare is essential for any community to thrive, and we are thrilled when the NHS takes a broader view of health by holistically caring for their own. Our congregation includes nurses and other hospital workers, so we see the ways that a Real Living Wage contributes to the flourishing of individuals, families, and their communities. This commitment to workers has the potential to transform the vitality of NW London
Revd Jared Jaggers, The American International Church
The NHS is one of the largest employers in our communities, We are proud that all of our NHS Trusts are paying staff the Real Living Wage. Our staff are looking after the health and wellbeing of their local populations. This, in turn, supports our residents at all points in their life, including fitness to work. Therefore, it makes both moral and economic sense that NHS staff are fairly rewarded in line with the principles of Living Wage employment. We are hugely grateful to all NHS staff for the contribution to our NWL communities.
Rob Hurd, Chief Executive of NHS North West London and North West London Integrated Care System
About the real Living Wage
The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated according to what people need to make ends meet. It provides a voluntary benchmark for employers that choose to take a stand by ensuring their staff earn a wage that meets the costs and pressures they face in their everyday lives.
The UK Living Wage is currently £12.60 per hour. There is a separate London Living Wage rate of £13.85 per hour to reflect the higher costs of transport, childcare and housing in the capital. These figures are calculated annually by the Resolution Foundation and overseen by the Living Wage Commission, based on the best available evidence on living standards in London and the UK.