Salford’s Living Wage Action Group is celebrating after three successes in the national Living Wage awards 2023.
The group which works to boost the pay of local residents won the Campaign of the Year category for its Greater Manchester-wide campaign to encourage housing provider Anchor Hanover to accredit with the Living Wage Foundation. It was also shortlisted in the Living Wages Places Champion category.
Salford CVS won Third Sector Champion for continuing to promote the real living wage amongst voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises. It’s the second time the organisation has won an award for its work on Living Wage.
And Salford businessman Chris Smallwood, owner of Anchor Removals* won Advocate of the Year for his tireless work in championing the importance of the real Living Wage, which is the only UK hourly wage rate calculated to reflect the true cost of living. (*Anchor Removals has no connection with Anchor Hanover.)
Mr Smallwood’s company was also shortlisted in the Living Hours category which aims to tackle insecurity in the job market by guaranteeing minimum hours of work for employees and adequate notice of shift patterns with payment if the shift is cancelled within that notice period.
Chris Dabbs, Chief Executive of Unlimited Potential, one of the organisations which makes up the Salford Living Wage Action group, said: “I’m delighted that our joint work to increase the number of Salford employers paying the real Living Wage has been recognised once again.
“Accredited employers not only commit to paying that rate but to working with their suppliers to encourage them to do the same. That spreads the benefits even further, putting more money into our local economy.”
Councillor Bill Hinds, Lead Member Lead Member for Skills and Work, Business and Workforce, Salford City Council added: “The real winners in all this are local people. This is the only wage rate in the UK which is calculated to take the true cost of living into account and that has never been more important.
“There are real benefits too for employers who report better retention and productivity, easier recruitment and praise from customers who are keen to see ethical behaviour in business.
“Our campaign will continue, and I hope we see many more Salford businesses and organisations becoming accredited Living Wage employers.”
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- Date published
- Friday 7 July 2023