Companies choice to pay workers a living wage

Since 2007 Britain's wages have been decreasing, after allowance has been made for inflation, making it harder for staff to make ends meet.

The current minimum rate is £6.50 an hour which is legally designed to ensure workers can afford to live. However anti-poverty campaigners have been calling for a so called "living wage".

They have calculated the minimum living wage to ensure workers can pay for housing, food and other basic needs has in fact increased from £7.65 to £7.85 an hour. For those living in London it has increased from £8.80 to £9.15 an hour.

35,000 workers will potentially benefit from the change but campaigners are hoping more companies follow suit. One of the latest companies to sign up is The Royal Bank of Scotland which is the 18^th company in the FTSE 100 index.

Barrie Stead, a retired solicitor and concerned shareholder, who helped initiate the change was concerned by the way companies were acting in 2011 and began attending AGM's in order to seek support for the living wage. Mr Stead said, "I always say I'll be back next year to see what progress has been made."

Campaigners have stated workers who are being paid the living wage are more productive than those who aren't.

On the subject of money, if you need advice regarding Employment law, contact our Woolwich solicitors today on 020 8297 4414 or email enquiries@mandypeterssolicitors.co.uk.

Mandy Peters LLP

Woolwich Employment Solicitors