Milestone for city's Living Wage campaign

A record 400 employers are now paying the Living Wage in Brighton and Hove.
Jo Gough, CEO at RISEJo Gough, CEO at RISE
Jo Gough, CEO at RISE

The Brighton and Hove Living Wage campaign, run by Brighton Chamber since 2012, will mark the milestone with a coffee morning at Brewdog Brighton tomorrow (May 24).

The 400th employer to sign up to the Living Wage was Brighton-based charity RISE, which stands for refuge, information, support and education. It helps people affected by domestic abuse, offering the only local domestic abuse helpline as well as emergency refuge accommodation, legal and housing advice, counselling, specialist help for families and a dedicated LGBT service.

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Jo Gough, CEO at RISE, said: “A strong and happy workforce means we can support women at their most vulnerable point with a positive strength based approach. We believe everyone should be paid a wage comparable to living expenses and this is particularly important in Brighton which has rising house prices.

Brighton and Hove Living Wage campaign celebrates 400 organisations signing upBrighton and Hove Living Wage campaign celebrates 400 organisations signing up
Brighton and Hove Living Wage campaign celebrates 400 organisations signing up

“RISE predominantly employs women who frequently experience gender pay discrimination.”

The Living Wage campaign in the city has been responsible for raising the wages of over 3,100 employees across Brighton and Hove.

Bee Nicholls, operations manager at Brighton Chamber, said: “We are delighted to have hit this milestone and it is heartening to see that so many employers are able take the step to commit to the real Living Wage as a bassline. Every employer who joins this campaign contributes to its growing success and helps to change attitudes towards pay for the better.”

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The Brighton and Hove Living Wage campaign is free to join and takes less than a minute to register. The real Living Wage is currently set at £8.75 per hour and is based on the cost of living, instead of just surviving. The Living Wage is calculated annually by the Resolution Foundation, overseen by the Living Wage Commission, based on the best available evidence about living standards in the UK.

To find out more about the campaign, visit: www.livingwagebrighton.co.uk

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