£7.20 per hour, Living Wage for Brighton & Hove: Achievable?

£7.20 per hour, Living Wage for Brighton & Hove: Achievable?

Chaired by Julia Chanteray President of the Chamber of Commerce, the city has set up a Commission to look at a Living Wage for the Brighton & Hove. A voluntary scheme, the Commission is keen to look at how businesses in the city can be encouraged and supported to pay staff a Living Wage. The Commission is likely to propose that the city adopt the nationally recognised Living Wage of £7.20 an hour.

Linking in with the national campaign run by the Living Wage Foundation the Commission was initiated by the Leader of the council, Cllr. Bill Randall, in response to the unacceptable levels of in-work poverty in the city.

Recognising the challenge this could be for businesses in the current climate, the Commission is keen to hear views from different companies throughout the city.

The benefits to business have been evidenced where a Living Wage has been introduced; attracting a higher calibre of employee, reducing staff turnover, more loyal, committed and productive staff. But do you feel local businesses can offer the Living Wage in the current financial climate? And what might it mean if we choose to do so?

Hear more about a Living Wage for Brighton & Hove and participate in the Chamber of Commerce Big Debate “A voluntary living wage of £7.20 would be good for business in Brighton & Hove”,  28th February, 6-8pm, City College, Pelham Street, Brighton.

Visit http://www.businessinbrighton.org.uk/event/the-big-debate for more information about the debate.

You can also find out more about the commission at http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=b1162204 

Deadline for views 3^rd March 2012.

For general queries about the Commission contact the council’s policy team on:

centralpolicy@brighton-hove.gov.uk or 01273 296805

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk