Only two of Wales's seven health boards and six of 22 councils pay the Real Living Wage
Only two of Wales's seven health boards and six of its 22 councils pay the Real Living Wage, the Future Generations Commissioner has said, as he called on every public body to sign up. Derek Walker made the call ahead of Real Living Wage Week, which begins on Monday 9 November.
The numbers
Nineteen of the 55 public bodies covered by the Well-being of Future Generations Act are now accredited Real Living Wage employers, up from 12 since the commissioner made the issue a priority. Powys Council and North Wales Fire and Rescue signed up this year. The rate itself rose this year to £14.10 an hour. Unlike the UK legal minimum wage, it is independently calculated against the cost of living.
What the commissioner wants
Mr Walker wants all public bodies to pay the Real Living Wage, more Welsh businesses to accredit, and the Welsh Government to make accreditation a requirement for firms that receive public sector contracts and grants. He also wants frontline public service workers supported with their energy bills.
"People cleaning our schools and hospitals, keeping our public spaces safe and feeding society should not be using food banks to get by each month or struggling to heat their own homes," Mr Walker said. He added that the rise in uptake across Wales was promising.
Campaign figures
The Living Wage Campaign marks its 25th anniversary this year. The commissioner's office says it has lifted 20,400 workers in Wales to the real Living Wage, adding £141m to the incomes of low-wage earners. Cynnal Cymru, the accreditation partner in Wales, says it has supported more than 600 businesses through accreditation and that more than 90% of accredited employers report a benefit, including better staff retention.
Fiona Meldrum, lead organiser for Citizens Cymru, urged more local authorities to join ahead of next year's council elections. Ceri Jennings, managing director of Barry cleaning firm Sparkles Cleaning Services Wales and West, which employs 35 people, is due to speak at the Real Living Wage Week launch on Monday.