Care provider joins national living wage scheme

One of Lancashire’s leading care providers, Preston-based Mosaic Community Care, has joined more than 950 UK-based companies, to become an accredited living wage employer.

The living wage, which is has cross party support, is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually. Calculated according to the basic cost of living in the UK, employers choose to pay it on a voluntary basis.

Speaking about her company’s accreditation, Mosaic Care Group’s managing director, Claire Fryer said: “As a provider of quality care, it’s important our staff feel valued and are recognised for their professional approach. Paying the living wage is good for business, good for the individual and good for society.

“The minimum wage for people over the age of 21 is currently £6.50 per hour, under this scheme, we are committing to paying all our staff a minimum of £7.65 per hour which reflects the value we place on our carers.”

Living Wage Foundation director, Rhys Moore said: “We are delighted to welcome Mosaic Care Group to the Living Wage movement as an accredited employer.

“The best employers are voluntarily signing up to pay the living wage now. The living wage is a robust calculation that reflects the real cost of living, rewarding a hard day’s work with a fair day’s pay.

“We have accredited over 950 leading employers, including Mosaic Community Care, ranging from independent printers, hairdressers and breweries, to well-known companies such as Nationwide, Aviva and SSE. These businesses recognise that clinging to the national minimum wage is not good for business. Customers expect better than that. " Organisations that have taken up Living Wage accreditation over the last year include HSBC, ITV, Clear Channel, Nationwide, Nestlé and both Houses of Parliament.