North Northamptonshire Council to pay Real Living Wage

06 October 2021

North Northamptonshire Council has today underlined its commitment to its staff, announcing that it will pay the real living wage.
 
At present, some employees are paid the national living wage which is currently £8.91 for those aged over 23. 
 
North Northamptonshire Council, under the direction of its political leadership, has been holding productive discussions with unions and staff in order to move to a fairer approach.
 
The real living wage is currently £9.50 per hour in the UK (excluding London). It is considered by many organisations, including North Northamptonshire Council, to be a fairer rate of pay because it better reflects the cost of living. 

I am delighted to announce that North Northamptonshire Council will be paying the real living wage.  The real living wage will provide a fairer pay rate for our dedicated and hardworking staff and I believe this is a major step in the right direction. We will be looking to implement this minimum pay rate as soon as we practically can and will be backdating it to the 1st April 2021.Councillor Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council

This is without a doubt a significant commitment and one we are proud to make.  Implementing the higher real living wage rate will benefit many of our care staff who currently earn the lower national living wage. We hope this will go some way in helping show our appreciation for the work that they do but also help us more effectively attract and retain staff working in adult social care and in other areas of the Council.Councillor Helen Harrison, Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing

The Trade Unions have been working closely with North Northants Council on the introduction of the Real Living wage and welcome this announcement.  Local Government staff, particularly care staff, have been at the front line throughout the pandemic. Paying the Real Living Wage will really help low paid staff to pay their bills and buy food. It is also an investment in Council services and in North Northamptonshire. It means that people are more likely to work for their local council, to stay living locally and spend their income locally. This is a good news story for North Northamptonshire.Yolande Morgan UNISON Lead Convenor, North Northamptonshire Council