Leyland firms earns Living Wage badge

Cleanall Services of Leyland has become one of the first businesses outside of the capital to become recognised as a Living Wage Service Provider.

The Living Wage, calculated according to the basic cost of living in the UK, is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually. Employers choose to pay the Living Wage on a voluntary basis.

The Living Wage is gaining momentum and already enjoys cross-party support, with public backing from the prime minister and the leader of the opposition. In November, Boris Johnson announced the new rate of £8.80 for London at the NHS Great Ormond Street Hospital and the UK rate (outside of London) was announced as £7.65 in Nottingham, by Bishop Paul Butler.

Cleanall Services now pays the living wage to employees working at Community Gateway Housing Association.

Alistair Clayton, commercial director at Cleanall, said: “We jumped at the chance to become involved in the Living Wage – as an indicator of a business’s corporate and social responsibility it cannot be over-estimated. Our customers really appreciate the fact that we look after our employees it is a win, win scenario, our staff are motivated and focused upon the job."

Caroline Reilly, employer support at the Living Wage Foundation, said, “The Living Wage has gained real momentum in 2013 - growing from 70 to 500 accredited employers in just one year. For a lot of employers, moving those who are outsourced onto working with the Living Wage rate, has been a challenging step for enabling full accreditation.

"Now a growing number of service providers who have led in its success, recognise the added benefits this brings to their business, their clients and their employees respectively and the increase in overall quality of services that this brings." Cleanall is now leading in sharing this offering as an improved service solution, alongside their general market rate offerings. They have signed an agreement with the Living Wage Foundation to commit to offering this for all future bids, tenders and quotes.