Bolton GP Federation has become a real living wage employer, joining more than 14,000 other organisations in the UK that have also made the pledge.
According to the organisation, the move demonstrates its commitment to support employees’ financial wellbeing by voluntarily paying them a salary which is sufficient to live on.
Chief officer Michael Smith said: “We are incredibly proud to have achieved this accreditation. As an NHS employer in Bolton, we recognise and take very seriously our opportunity to create real social value for the people and families of Bolton and this accreditation solidifies that.”
The federation’s accreditation supports Greater Manchester’s plan to be the first city-region to pay every employee a real wage in line with the cost of living.
Set by the Living Wage Foundation, the real living wage is applicable to all workers aged 18 and over and is designed to ensure people have enough money to meet their basic, everyday needs, including any unexpected costs.
So far, more than 460,000 employees have received a wage increase because of the campaign, with a number of organisations gaining accreditation. These include half of the FTSE 100 firms, as well as Everton FC, Chelsea FC, Ikea, Aviva, Nationwide, Google and Lush.
Yesterday (24 October), the Foundation announced a rise in these rates to £12 per hour across the UK and £13.15 in London. Living wage employers will have six months to introduce the rates and must have implemented them by 1 May 2024.
The government’s current statutory minimum living wage is £10.42 an hour in the UK for employees aged 23 and over, although this rate is expected to increase in April 2024. There is no additional provision for workers in London.
