Firms urged to sign up to real living wage

Businesses in Monklands are being encouraged to sign up to the real living wage to help more people out of poverty.

North Lanarkshire Council is a real living wage employer and is asking other local companies to sign up to the initiative, which sets a minimum hourly wage rate.

“Paying a living wage offers staff financial security, tells individuals that their work is valued and is a critical part of lifting people out of poverty, but it also has clear benefits for employers, including being able to attract and keep skilled staff,”council depute leader Councillor Paul Kelly told the Advertiser.

“The council’s employability programmes incentivise employers to pay the living wage and we offer support to small companies as they work towards being accredited as living wage employers.

“We encourage the uptake of the initiative through our procurement practices.

“I would encourage all businesses across North Lanarkshire to consider signing up as a living wage employer – it is good for our residents and good for business.”

A new minimum hourly wage of £9.90 per hour was announced as part of Living Wage Week 2021 late last year.

More information about the real living wage is available at www. livingwage.org.uk/ what-real-living-wage