October 15, 2015 11.37 am This story is over 101 months old

Lincoln council leader to make business case for paying living wage

Living wage benefits: The leader of City of Lincoln Council will deliver a speech explaining his reasons for why it “makes real business sense” to pay employees the living wage.
City of Lincoln Council Leader, Councillor Ric Metcalfe

The leader of City of Lincoln Council will deliver a speech explaining his reasons why it “makes real business sense” to pay employees the living wage.

Councillor Ric Metcalfe is one of the guest speakers at the ‘Secrets of Sustainable Business’ event taking place at Lincolnshire Showground on Monday, October 19.

The conference is the first of its kind to take place in Lincolnshire and aims to promote ethical, socially responsible and viable businesses of all sizes.

The living wage is set at £7.85 per hour outside of London, and was introduced by City of Lincoln Council for its own staff in 2013.

The city council has also introduced its Living Wage Campaign, with 19 businesses and organisations in Lincoln signing up to the project, with over 1,000 employees.

It is estimated by the council that 65 members of staff have received a pay rise as a result of the campaign, amounting to more than £125,000 in additional total earnings.

Councillor Metcalfe said: “It is great to have the opportunity to explain why paying the living wage is the right thing to do, not just ethically and morally, but why it makes real business sense to do so.

“Research has shown that it can significantly lower rates of staff turnover, reduce costs of recruitment and induction training, lower absence and sickness levels, increase morale and generate higher productivity.

“It also gives local consumers more disposable income and brands a business or organisation as an ethical employer.

“No one who does a fair day’s work should go without a fair day’s pay, or worry about keeping food on the table or a roof over their heads. The living wage isn’t about luxury, it’s about covering the basic costs of living.

“It would be fantastic to see Lincoln gain a reputation as being a place where people are paid fairly and rewarded for their hard work.”

More information about the conference can be found online.