East Ayrshire Council supports Living Wage Week

As an accredited Living Wage Employer since 2020, the Council is proud to support a rate of pay that reflects the real cost of living and recognises the contribution made by its employees.

The real Living Wage rate has recently increased from £13.45 to £14.10 an hour for workers aged 18 and over. Across Scotland, this means that more than 76,000 workers are set to benefit, earning around £2,700 more each year than they would on the National Living Wage.

Unlike the Government’s National Living Wage, which is based on a percentage of median earnings and is the legal minimum that employers must pay, the real Living Wage is independently calculated according to what people need to live on. This takes into account everyday costs such as food, household bills, housing, transport and childcare, as well as the unexpected expenses that can put pressure on household budgets.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council said: “Everyone should be able to feel that their hard work is fairly rewarded. The real Living Wage recognises the genuine cost of living and provides an important foundation for financial security.

“We are proud to have been an accredited Living Wage Employer since 2020 and to be part of a growing movement of employers committed to fair pay. Supporting the real Living Wage is one way we can help to create a fairer and more inclusive workplace for our employees.”

East Ayrshire Council is one of over 4,000 accredited Living Wage Employers across Scotland.

Find out more about Living Wage Week and the real Living Wage by visiting https://scottishlivingwage.org/living-wage-week/

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