Lothian Buses have been accredited as a Living Wage employer. As the UK’s largest municipal bus company owned by the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian councils the organisation is one of the region’s largest employers with over 2,500 staff.
Their Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at Lothian Buses 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.
As a key employer in the City of Edinburgh, Lothian Buses accreditation strengthens the ambition to “Make Edinburgh a Living Wage City” and the drive to tackle in-work poverty in the city.
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.
Sarah Boyd, Managing Director at Lothian, said:
“Lothian strive to be a caring, reputable and trustworthy organisation that current and prospective employees actively choose to work for.
“Our people are the heart of our business, and as an accredited Living Wage employer, we are committed to paying our people a wage that makes them feel valued and appreciated, as well as ensuring it accurately reflects the real cost of living.”
Councillor Scott Arthur, Edinburgh Council’s Transport and Environment Convener said:
“I’m delighted that Lothian Buses has received formal accreditation as a Living Wage employer. I expect nothing less from one of Edinburgh’s biggest and best employers.
“Edinburgh is proudly leading the Living Wage movement, and only last month we announced a record number of Living Wage employers based in Edinburgh. We all know that the ongoing cost-of-living crisis means that tackling in-work poverty has never been more vital.”
Kat Brogan, Managing Director of Mercat Tours and Co-Chair of the Edinburgh Living Wage Action Group said:
“We’re delighted to welcome Lothian Buses to the Living Wage community. Our Living Wage Scotland movement binds together a powerful and growing group of like-minded employers who believe and act as business for good.”
Rachel Morrison-McCormick, Living Wage Scotland Projects Coordinator said:
“We’re delighted that Lothian Buses has become an accredited Living Wage employer. As one of the largest employers in the region their commitment to paying a real Living Wage sets an example, and will ensure that workers and their families can earn what they need to live on.
“Lothian Buses join a growing movement of over 3600 accredited Living Wage employers in Scotland that includes well known organisations such as abrdn, Edinburgh Napier University and NHS Lothian, and we hope many more follow their example.”