IKEA has become the 1,000th employer to sign up to the Brighton and Hove Living Wage campaign, it was announced today (Thursday 30 October).
The Brighton Chamber, which runs the campaign, said that the backing from one of the area’s newest employers marked “a major milestone”.
The chamber of commerce said: “Launched in 2012, the campaign is led and managed by Brighton Chamber, with support from Brighton and Hove City Council and Unison Brighton.
“Over the past 13 years, the campaign has encouraged businesses across the city to commit to paying their staff a minimum of the Real Living Wage, with more than 5,000 salaries uplifted as a result.
“Employers who sign up to the Brighton and Hove Living Wage Campaign join a diverse community of local businesses all working towards a fairer, more sustainable city economy – one where everyone can afford to live and thrive.
“From the campaign’s first employer, Brighton and Hove Buses, to the University of Sussex, Brighton and Hove Albion and Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival, and now IKEA Brighton, and the hundreds of independent businesses that make up our city’s economy and identity, the campaign has grown into a citywide movement of employers committed to making Brighton and Hove a fairer place to work.”
Brighton Chamber chief executive Sarah Springford said: “IKEA coming to Brighton is very positive for the city and its economy and we’re delighted that IKEA Brighton are our 1,000th Living Wage employer.
“Brighton as a city is all about community and collaboration and it’s been fantastic to see the growth of the Brighton and Hove Living Wage Campaign over the past 13 years.”
IKEA’s people and culture manager for the IKEA UK and Ireland, Darren Taylor, spoke about being a Living Wage employer.
He said: “At IKEA we believe in ensuring our co-workers feel supported and can meet the cost of living.
“Since 2017 IKEA has been a member of the Living Wage Foundation and paid a real living wage to its co-workers.
“Combined with our wider flexibility and benefits offer, this commitment provides co-workers with greater financial stability and the support needed to live a better everyday life.”
Councillor Jacob Taylor, the deputy leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “Welcoming IKEA Brighton as our 1000th Living Wage employer is an important milestone that aligns with our ambition for an inclusive and fairer city where everyone can thrive.
“IKEA’s commitment to Brighton and Hove has already created new jobs for our communities. Them joining the campaign shows how major businesses can help set the standard for fair pay locally, supporting workers and inspiring other employers.”
The Real Living Wage is separate from the government’s national minimum wage, with the figure calculated independently each year by the Resolution Foundation think-tank, based on the real cost of living.
The current Real Living Wage is £12.60 an hour or £24,570 a year, based on a 37.5 hour week, rising to £13.45 an hour from the start of next May.
