This week is designated Living Wage Week. Living Wage Week is a UK wide celebration that is held in the first week of November each year. During the week the new Living Wage rates for the coming year are announced by public figures and accredited Living Wage Employers come together to share their commitment to responsible pay.

A Living Wage Employer

We are pleased to announce that Sheffield Cathedral has been accredited as a Living Wage employer.

The Living Wage is a voluntary higher rate of basic pay set independently and updated annually. The rate is calculated according to the basic cost of living in the UK and enables workers to earn enough to provide their family with the essentials of life. It provides a benchmark for responsible employers who choose to pay more than the National Minimum Wage and applies to all staff over the age of 18 who work regularly for two or more hours a day for eight or more consecutive weeks of the year.

The Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at Sheffield Cathedral, regardless of whether they are permanent employees or third-party contractors and suppliers, receive a minimum hourly wage significantly higher than the national minimum wage. Employers choose to pay the Living Wage on a voluntary basis. The Living Wage enjoys cross party support, with public backing from the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

Living Wage Foundation Director, Rhys Moore said:

“We are delighted to welcome Sheffield Cathedral to the Living Wage movement as an accredited employer. The best employers are voluntarily signing up to pay the Living Wage now. The Living Wage is a robust calculation that reflects the real cost of living, rewarding a hard day’s work with a fair day’s pay. We have accredited over 1,700 leading employers, including Sheffield Cathedral, ranging from independent printers, hairdressers and breweries, to well-known companies such as Nationwide, Aviva and SSE.”

Let us pray for all organisations and particularly for The Living Wage Foundation this week, which work for fairness and justice in society.

Canon Keith Farrow

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