Britain’s biggest water company has committed to paying the real Living Wage.
This voluntary arrangement will ensure Thames Water colleagues at the lower end of the pay scale receive at least £9.50 per hour.
It means they will earn at least £17,784 a year at 36 hours per week. The rate rises to £10.85p/h in London, an annual salary of £20,311.
Both rates are significantly higher than the government minimum for over 23s, which currently stands at £8.91 per hour.
The move means Thames Water is now accredited with the Living Wage Foundation, an organisation that sets fair minimum hourly rates above the National Minimum Wage.
Sarah Bentley, Thames Water chief executive, said: “The cost of living is going up and that can put a strain on families and individuals.
“I’m keen to ensure that all our amazing key workers and colleagues who deliver life’s essential service are paid fairly, so they can afford their bills and look after those they care for.
“I’m delighted we’ve partnered with the Living Wage Foundation and are going beyond the minimum wage to reflect the real Living Wage.”
The real Living Wage is the only rate calculated according to the cost of living. It provides a voluntary benchmark for employers who wish to ensure their colleagues earn a wage they can live on, not just the government minimum.
Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 250,000 people and put over £1.3 billion extra into the pockets of low paid workers.
Laura Gardiner, Living Wage Foundation director, said: “We’re delighted that Thames Water have joined the movement of over 7,000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their colleagues earn enough to live on. In this difficult time, their commitment will help to give their colleagues the additional support they need to better support themselves and their families.
“They join thousands of small businesses, as well as household names such as Burberry, Barclays, Everton Football Club and many more. These businesses recognise that paying the real Living Wage is the mark of a responsible employer and they, like Thames Water, believe that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay.”
