Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 11th April 2024 Issue no. 1109

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Carlisle Support Services wins 'Industry Champion' Award for dedication to Real Living Wage

At the annual Living Wage Champion Awards held last week, Carlisle Support Services was recognised for its commitment to paying the voluntary rate and promoting the Living Wage in its industry and supply chain, leading more employers to pay the real Living Wage. The contractor was awarded the 'Industry Champion Award' for its dedication to promoting the voluntary rate as a Recognised Service Provider.

"As a Recognised Service Provider we have committed to pay all our head office staff the Living Wage as per the Living Wage Employer agreement," says Paul Evans, chief executive officer of Carlisle Support Services.

"Unlike accredited Living Wage Employers, where every employee must be paid the Living Wage, we are on a journey with our clients to enable us to do this. As a Recognised Service Provider we have committed to actively promote the Living Wage to all our clients by submitting a Living Wage bid alongside any market rate bid for work.

"We promote the Living Wage as not only the right thing to do, but the option that makes best business sense. We are proud to see more and more of our contracts move to the Living Wage each year, we want to work with our clients to end low pay."

Katherine Chapman, director of the Living Wage Foundation, said at the ceremony:

"Congratulations to Carlisle Support Services for winning an Industry Champion Award this evening. The organisation has gone above and beyond to promote the real Living Wage in the facilities management industry and is integral to the Living Wage movement.

"The last year has been particularly successful for the Living Wage Foundation as we've seen through the 5,000th Living Wage Accreditation. Our awards are an opportunity to recognise the fantastic businesses who continue to recognise the importance of a wage that truly covers the cost of living, and the value this provides for workers and their families, as well as businesses."

Paul Evans said at the time: "We're very proud to have been given this award and to pay the real Living Wage. Paying the real Living Wage is simply the right thing to do and, as notable employer in the region, we really hope that other local employers follow our lead."

The real Living Wage is currently £9.00 across the UK and £10.55 in London. Unlike the Government's minimum wage or so-called Living Wage, it's independently calculated based on the cost of living. It is the only rate calculated according to what people need to make ends meet. It provides a voluntary benchmark for employers that choose to take a stand by ensuring their staff earn a wage that meets the costs and pressures they face in their everyday lives.??

The annual Living Wage Champion Awards celebrate notable employers that pay the Living Wage and the awards on the 5th were hosted by Martin Lewis at Guildhall, London. The awards were sponsored by Aviva, Heathrow and City of London.

Our picture shows Paul Evans receiving the Industry Champion Award from host Martin Lewis, Founder of Money Saving Expert.

Employing over 3,000 people, Carlisle Support Services focuses on providing cleaning, security, events, and retail facilities support services.

www.carlislesupportservices.com / www.livingwage.org

13th June 2019