Living Wage gets the thumbs up

Businesses from around Brighton and Hove have given the thumbs up to the Living Wage campaign.

A mixture of firms is in the first batch to officially pledge their commitment to paying staff a fair wage. These include the Community & Voluntary Sector Forum, Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion, Sussex Police, Brighton & Hove City Council, Brighton & Hove Bus Company and ABC Translations. Members can display the campaign logo to show they support the campaign.

The Living Wage looks at the basic cost of living in Brighton. The minimum wage is currently £6.19, but according to the Chamber of Commerce, which is the driving force behind the local scheme, the cost of living is far higher and it is pushing for all employees to receive at least £7.20 per hour, or £14k per year.

Roger French from Brighton & Hove Bus Company offered his support for the campaign and said: “We’re pleased to sign up because if we truly want this city to be sustainable in every way, employers need to play their part in providing living and sustainable wages for employees who live and work in the city and contribute themselves to the local economy.”

The campaign does not require interns and sub-contracted staff to be paid the Living Wage, although it recommends that it is good practice. Brighton company, Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI), recognised this and recruited their graduate intern on the Living Wage.

OCSI intern, Yasmine Fahmy, said: “As a recent graduate, I have faced the difficulties of not only finding suitable employment, but in finding a job that pays. I believe the Living Wage scheme is of great importance, providing people with the opportunity to pursue a career that they are interested in, while supporting themselves in the process.”

Julia Chanteray, President of Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce, said: “We're delighted that the first batch of firms has shown their commitment to paying the Living Wage. Over the coming months, we will be signing up hundreds more Brighton and Hove businesses. We want everyone to receive a fair wage.”

For more information, please visit: www.businessinbrighton.org.uk/the-brighton-and-hove-living-wage-campaign

By Cobb PR

Photo: Signing up to Brighton and Hove Living Wage Campaign are:
From l to r Living Wage Intern Yasmine Fahmy, Director of Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce Sarah Springford, Brighton Leader of the Conservatives Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, Director of ABC Translations Julie Roff, Deputy Leader of the Labour & Cooperative Group Warren Morgan, Brighton Leader of the Labour & Cooperative Group Cllr Gill Mitchell, Brighton and Hove City Council Chief Executive Penny Thompson, Green Group and Brighton Council Leader Cllr Jason Kitcat, Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, Brighton Housing Trust Director of Corporate Affairs Kate Thomas, CVSF Chief Executive Sally Polanski and Managing Director of Brighton & Hove Bus Company Roger French.

Photo by Brighton Togs

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