Hansel has accredited as a Living Wage employer. Hansel are a leading social care charity based in Ayrshire who enable people with additional support needs to live independent and fulfilling lives.
Their Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at Hansel receive a minimum hourly wage of £12 per hour. This rate is higher than the government minimum for over 21s, which currently stands at £11.44 per hour.
In Scotland, 91% of all jobs pay at least the real Living Wage, this is higher than any other UK nation. Despite this, nearly 1 in 10 jobs still pay less than the real Living Wage which equates to 221,000 jobs.
The real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate calculated according to the costs of living. Employers choose to pay the real Living Wage on a voluntary basis, recognising the value of their workers and ensuring that a hard day’s work receives a fair day’s pay.
Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 64,000 people in Scotland and put over £485 million extra into the pockets of low paid Scottish workers.
Ali Mundell, People and Development Director said:
“Hansel have chosen to become a Real Living Wage accredited employer to demonstrate our commitment to being an employer of choice. It shows our entire team, supporters, suppliers and prospective team members that we believe it is important that everyone receives a fair level of pay that reflects the cost of living – we are pleased to join the movement to end in-work poverty in Scotland”.
Peter Kelly, Director of The Poverty Alliance said:
“We all need an income that is enough to cover our needs and protect us from poverty, and it’s only right that employers pay a wage that reflects the cost of living. Too many workers in Scotland are paid less than the real Living Wage and, at a time of rising costs, are struggling to stay afloat. The real Living Wage can offer protection from those rising costs.”
“Congratulations to Hansel on their Living Wage commitment, and I hope more organisations follow their lead by becoming Living Wage accredited.”
Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland Manager said:
“We’re delighted that Hansel has become an accredited Living Wage employer. They join a growing movement of over 3600 employers in Scotland who together want to ensure workers have what they need.”