‘Get accreditation for the London Living Wage and we will off-set your costs.’ That’s the offer by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to local businesses to ensure workers receive fair pay.
The Council announced this incentive to the first 100 businesses which sign up for accreditation at a recent reception for London Living Wage Week at the Town Hall. The event, led by Cllr Denise Hyland, Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills and Apprenticeships, was also attended by Helen McIntosh, the President of the South East London Chamber of Commerce, Claire Pritchard, Director of Greenwich Cooperative Development Agency and local businesses.
Promoting a living wage is one of the Council’s key priorities for economic development, job creation and tackling poverty in the borough. The Royal Borough is already signed as a Living Wage employer and has since established a Business Rates Relief Scheme for accredited employers.
The Council is now extending its Business Rates Relief Scheme, which covers the cost of subscriptions to the Living Wage Foundation for five years. This is the second time the Council has made this offer, which is available to a further 100 employers to achieve accreditation in the next 12 months.
Cllr Denise Hyland, Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills and Apprenticeships said: “With wages of many low paid workers failing to keep up with the rising cost of living, it is more important than ever for businesses to note the impact on their workers and pay a decent wage.”
Cllr Hyland continued: “By helping to off-set the costs for 100 local businesses which sign up, we want them to see that it makes business sense when it comes to recruiting, keeping and motivating staff because they will be seen as better employers.”
Claire Pritchard, Director of Greenwich Cooperative Development Agency said: “Paying the London Living Wage as a minimum is an investment in our colleagues and as a result we have a committed staff team and we experience very little staff turnover.”
For further information about Living Wage accreditation, please email the Council’s Business Engagement Team at business@royalgreenwich.gov.uk