Council’s Living Wage recognition

Authority in running for employers’award

South Lanarkshire Council has been shortlisted for an award which shows continued commitment to the Living Wage movement.

The council is in the running for the Living Wage Scotland 2018 Anchor Institution Award, which is open to all Accredited Living Wage employers who are recognised as major employers within their local area.

Since 2011, South Lanarkshire Council has been paying the real Living Wage, and achieved accreditation as a Living Wage employer in 2016. As the largest employer in the local authority area, the council has been the key local champion for the Living Wage movement.

Depute Leader of South Lanarkshire Council, and chair of the Community Planning Partnership, Councillor Maureen Chalmers, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our commitment to the Living Wage has been recognised and we have been shortlisted for this award.

“As the lead for community planning, we recognise our influence extends beyond our own organisation and as such have been championing the Living Wage across all sectors of the local economy and beyond.

“Independent studies have found that the majority of employers believe that paying the Living Wage enhances the quality of the work of their staff, while also reducing absenteeism.

“Employees also reported increases in work quality as a result of receiving the Living Wage, while half of them were more willing to implement changes in their working practices.

“Moving forward, we will work with the Living Wage Campaign group members to further explore how we use procurement and grant making processes as a means to supporting the Living Wage movement.”

Living Wage Scotland Manager Jack Evans said: “Since South Lanarkshire’s Living Wage accreditation in 2016 they have shown tremendous leadership in the local area.

“Local authorities play a vital role in tackling in-work poverty, not only as a large employer paying their staff the real Living Wage but by using their influence over the local economy to ensure that other employers follow their lead.

“We have seen South Lanarkshire Council use this influence to great effect via their Living Wage steering group resulting in a number of Living Wage accreditations.

“I would like to congratulate the council for their well-deserved place on the shortlist for Anchor Institute of the Year Award and wish them the best of luck.”