Fact Service January 2016

Issue 2

More companies join Living Wage crowd


Two more firms have recently announced that they have received Living Wage accreditation.


UBM, a business media multinational which employs more than 500 staff in the UK, has been accredited as a Living Wage employer by the Living Wage Foundation.


All those working at UBM’s UK premises, including permanent employees and third-party contractors and suppliers, will receive a minimum hourly wage of £8.25, and £9.15 in London.


National Express has also become an accredited Living Wage employer and the biggest private sector organisation to pay the higher, voluntary Living Wage in the West Midlands.


As well as pledging to pay all UK employees the Living Wage, National Express will also be ensuring the same for all agency and contracted staff. The move will benefit hundreds of workers across the region including cleaners, canteen workers and admin staff.


National Express’ largest UK business, the West Midlands based bus division, is leading the way paying the Living Wage from 3 January 2016. National Express’ UK coach and rail businesses will follow by the end of 2017. Why those workers in those businesses have to wait in effect for another two years is not revealed.


Living Wage Foundation director Sarah Vero said: “The best employers are voluntarily signing up to pay the Living Wage which is a robust calculation that reflects the real cost of living, rewarding a hard day’s work with a fair day’s pay.”


http://media.ubm.com/news?item=136867

www.livingwage.org.uk/news/all-aboard-national-express-announces-living-wage-accreditation