Partnership of key local employers recognised for its plan to make Manchester a Living Wage City

Manchester will celebrate receiving recognition from the Living Wage Foundation for its plan to make a Living Wage City at a meeting of the full Council this week (Weds 5 October).

As part of the Living Wage Foundation’s Making Living Wage Places scheme, local businesses and employers will be encouraged to pay employees the real Living Wage and become accredited as Living Wage Employers.

The alliance comprises Living Wage accredited employers from across the public, private and third sectors as well as civil society representatives and includes: University of Manchester, Bruntwood, KPMG, Manchester International Festival, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) charity MACC, One Manchester, GMMH, and Brighter Sounds.

Each of the alliance of Living Wage institutions have agreed to a range of targets over the next three years as part of their commitment to support Manchester in becoming a Living Wage City. They will use their influence in their sectors and as anchor institutions to urge more organisations to become Living Wage accredited employers.

Over 160 employers in the city of Manchester have already voluntarily committed to ensure all their staff and subcontracted staff receive a real Living Wage of £10.90 an hour, significantly higher than the government minimum of £9.50.

The Making a Living Wage City action plan launched today sets out how the alliance intends to double the number of workers covered by Living Wage accreditation in Manchester over the next three years This will result in 4000 extra workers in the city being uplifted to the real Living Wage as a result of Living Wage accreditation by 2025.

Manchester City Council is already an accredited Living Wage Employer (accredited in 2019 by the Living Wage Foundation). Today’s recognition expands the ambition of Manchester’s pledge and urges as many businesses as possible to pay their employees a true living wage to support them to lead prosperous, happy and healthy lives.

Cllr Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Being recognised for Making a Living Wage City is a marker of our commitment to creating a Manchester where all of our residents can live happy and healthy lives and have the chance to share in the city’s success. Being paid the living wage isn’t just an arbitrary number.

“It’s an amount anyone needs in their pocket to lead their life without fear of poverty or being forced to work multiple jobs to pay their bills.

“As we see the impact of the cost-of-living crisis become reality, our residents being paid a fair and just amount will be even more important. We know there is a link between good employment, our health and mental health. And that a decent wage is needed to underpin our wellbeing.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily